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Of special Interest to Every Fan 



SPALDING BASE BALL ANNUALS 

Spalding OfBcial Base Ball Guide 

While the Guide is too well known to necessitate a 
detailed description of its contents, the publishers 
would call the attention of fans to its value as a cur- 
rent history of the game, in addition to its most impor- 
tant function, namely, the official publication of the 
rules. Owners of Spalding Guides of former years 
value them as priceless and back numbers are almost 
impossible to obtain. It is well, therefore, to get a 
copy early each year, to avoid disappointment. Where 
copies of the Guide cannot be obtained, the publishers 
would esteem it a favor to be notified of such cases. 
Price 10 cents. 

Spalding Official Base Ball Record 

From four hundred to five hundred pages of base 
ball "dope" each year that is simply invaluable and 
unobtainable anywhere else. Published always in 
January. Every fan needs this book if he would keep 
in touch with the records of players and teams. The 
contents include a short history of the game day by 
day, all the major and minor league yearly statistics, 
world series records back to the first of the contests, 
diagrams of the pennant race week by week in each 
major and minor league, previous winners in each, 
detailed records of the players on championship teams 
each season, list of ".400" and ".300" batters since the 
start of organized base ball, best-on-record in various 



departments and unusual occurrences, hall of fame in 
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season, and much other information. College base ball 
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tional and important section. Price 25 cents. 

Spalding Official Athletic Almanac 

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sport and to those we would call attention especially to 
the Athletic Almanac, which is to its field what the 
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ords that have been accepted as official by the Amateur 
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important events, past and present holders of cham- 
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only in the Almanac. It is profusely illustrated with 
pictures of athletes and athletic events. Published 
annually in January. Price 25 cents. 

THREE NEW SPALDING BOOKS ON 
BASE BALL 

How to Play First Base 

By Hal Chase. One does not have to be a first base- 
man, or even a player, in order to appreciate this book. 
The duties of the guardian of the initial sack are set 
forth clearly and to the point. Those who think of 
the first baseman as merely a receiver of good and 
bad throws will find that the position is one that 
requires mental alertness as well as physical, and cer- 
tainly no one is a greater exponent of the possibilities 
that the position presents than the author. Illustrated 
with pictures of prominent first basemen and several 
diagrams. Price 10 cents. 



How to Play Second Base 

By John J. Evers. Second base is well called the 
"keystone" of the diamond and no one is associated 
more with the position in the minds of the fans than 
the author. To think of second base is to think of 
Evers, and no one can deny "Johnnie" Evers' ability 
to think for himself — and think rapidly. In this book 
he g-ives many ideas from which a thinking second 
baseman can profit, and, in addition, several pictorial 
diagrams illustrate the more frequent plays in which 
a second baseman figures. Illustrated. Price 10 cents. 

How to Play Shortstop 

By Arthur Fletcher. In keeping with the other 
books of this series, "How to Play Shortstop" tells the 
player who would excel in this most difficult position 
the methods that should be pursued. In addition to 
being closely allied with second base work, the short- 
stop has his own particular sphere of action, and to 
explain and enlighten the young player on the duties 
of the position is the object of this book. Illustrated 
with picture diagrams of plays in which the shortstop 
participates and photos of prominent players. Price 
10 cents. 




BILLY EVANS. 





Spalding "Red Cover*' Series of 

Athletic Handbooks 

No. 75R 



HOW 
TO UMPIRE 

INCLUDING 

"KNOTTY PROBLEMS" 



BILLY EVANS 



published by 
n AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING 

hi bri COMPANY . 

— I LJ I— J 45 Rose Street, New York City /— ' ^ 

Copyright, 1917, by American Sports Publishing Company, 




ID 






In Peace or War — ^ 

"Keep Up Sport '' 

o 

To Athletic Sport— Base 
Ball in particular— can 
be attributed the love of 
fair play and self-reliance 
that caused our Amer- 
ican youth to respond 
so nobly and; unselfishly 
when diity called. 

JUL 31 !3i7 



Contents page 

Publishers' Note 5 

The Fans' Question Box 6 

Preface 7 

The Single Umpire System 8 

The Double Umpire System 13 

The Double Umpire System in the American League 17 

Methods of Conducting a Ball Game 19 

Offenses That Merit Punishment 23 

Looking After the Minor Details 25 

Don'ts for Umpires 26 

Umpires Are Human After All 30 

The Fan and the Umpire 33 

Explaining Much Discussed Infield Fly Z7 

Mixing Common Sense with the Rules 40 

Nice for Majors — How About Others? 43 

The Toughest Decision I Ever Made 45 

Interference Rule Should Be Changed 48 

The Batsman and the Balk 50 

Play That Always Creates a Dispute 52 

The Introduction of a Pinch Hitter 55 

Rules Don't Cover Freak Possibility 57 

Play That Always Starts an Argument 60 



PAGE 

A Freak Batting-Out-of -Order Play 63 

Star Players Easy to Handle 66 

The Umpire, Base Ball's Greatest Alibi 71 

Home Run Rule Needs Revision *17 

Legality of This Run is Questioned 81 

Correct Ruling That Was Nearly Fatal 84 

The Base-Runner and His Rights 87 

The Majors Differ On This Play 89 

Balk Rule is a Trouble Maker 92 

Three Similar Plays — Different Rulings 94 

Knotty Problems 97 

Knotty Problems Relative to Batting 97 

Knotty Problems Relative to the Base-Runner.. 113 

Knotty Problems Relative to Pitching 128 

Knotty Problems Relative to Umpire 132 

Miscellaneous Knotty Problems 136 

Index to Knotty Problems 150 

Umpire's Equipment Very Important 148 



Publishers' Note 

When the publishers asked Mr. Evans to write a book 
on Umpiring, they did not expect an encyclopedia, but 
that is what it might well be called. Mr. Evans has gone 
into the matter of "How to Umpire" most conscien- 
tiously, explaining every point, and his instructions, if 
carefully followed, will enable the reader not only to 
become familiar with the duties of the most arduous and 
thankless position on the ball field but at the same time 
earn for the one who knows — and knows he knows — the 
respect of even the most rabid partisan. 

Mr. Evans' ability as an arbiter and executive is famil- 
iar to every follower of base ball, and now this book, 
which will be a standard authority for years to come, 
furnishes another interesting sidelight on his versatility. 

American Sports Publishing Company. 



The Fans' Question Box 

The editor of Spalding's Official Base 
Ball Guide, Mr. John B. Foster, secretary 
of the New York National League base 
ball club, each year, in the Guide, offers 
to answer by mail questions relating to 
interpretations of the playing rules. iVll 
fans who submit questions should 
enclose a self-addressed, stamped enve- 
lope for reply, and address the inquiry to 
Mr. John B. Foster, Editor Spalding's 
Official Base Ball Guide, 45 Rose Street, 
New York City. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Preface 

Umpiring is a mixture of good eyesight, to which 
you must add plenty of common sense, an abundance 
of nerve, a dash of aggressiveness and a thorough knowl- 
edge of the rules. Good eyesight is, of course, most 
essential. To make the proper use of superior sight, 
the umpire must figure on being in the proper place when 
the play is completed. In order to do this he must draw 
on his source of common sense and good judgment, and 
figure out the correct angle at which to judge the plays. 
He must be the boss of the game. He must impress 
this feature on the players in a manner peculiar to him- 
self. Few umpires would handle a complex situation 
in exactly the same manner. A thorough knowledge of 
the rules is most necessary, because a lack of the same 
will quickly destroy confidence. One is never so 
wise at the game but he can learn something new. I 
am constantly getting new views and opinions because 
of my close association with the game's leading umpires. 
Many of the chapters herein have been inspired by dis- 
cussions with the game's best authorities. The book aims 
to give the beginner every bit of knowledge he needs ; 
it aims to perhaps give the veteran a new angle to some 
intricate situations. The player who reads it is certain 
to get many new views and facts. The fan who reads 
it will get a new angle to which he perhaps never gave 
much consideration, the difficulties that beset the umpire. 

Billy Evans. 



8 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



The Single Umpire System 

Umpiring a ball game alone is a most difficult propo- 
sition. The major leagues as well as some of the faster 
minor leagues are of the belief that it is too arduous a 
task for one man and are using the double umpire sys- 
tem. In most of the minor leagues of a smaller classi- 
fication, the double umpire system, because of the extra 
expense, is too great a luxury. Hence, in perhaps a big 
majority of the games played annually only one official 
is used. Such being the case, I will give my impressions 
of the best methods to pursue when umpiring a ball game 
alone. 

The system of working entirely alone from back of 
the pitcher is now practically obsolete, although in ama- 
teur games where the umpire has no paraphernalia to 
protect him, he is really forced to assume such a posi- 
tion. My observation will be based on the theory that 
the umpire in charge has the proper equipment. 

At the start of the game the umpire should assume 
a positioii back of the catcher. The style of position 
varies with the different major league umpires, so that 
it is a hard matter to state an exact position. I favor 
working about a foot or a foot and a half directly back 
of the catcher. The height of my position depends en- 
tirely on the attitude of the catcher. I make it a point to 
try and be just a trifle taller than the catcher, as he sets 
himself to receive each pitch. Such a style necessitates 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 9 

that you continually shift positions to suit the actions of 
the catcher. I favor such a system because it enables 
one to constantly keep the ball in sight, a very essential 
feature. It also affords the umpire considerable protec- 
tion, since to a large extent he fortifies himself behind 
the catcher. I am also of the opinion that in crouching 
with the catcher on each delivery, the umpire is in a 
much better position to correctly judge the low ball, ad- 
mittedly one of the most difficult tasks that confront 
the umpire. When I first came to the majors, I worked 
from an upright position at all times, and never shifted 
at all. That is a system some of the leading umpires 
still pursue, but I have been won over to the system I 
have just described. I feel that it is vastly superior. 

Umpires small of stature, who have trouble working 
directly behind the catcher, are often forced to work just 
outside or inside of the position assumed by the back- 
stop, particularly if he is a big fellow. There are some 
umpires who prefer working not over six inches back of 
the catcher, while I favor from twelve to eighteen inches 
away. I like such a scheme, because there is small likeli- 
hood of ever coming into contact with the receiver and 
offering an alibi for something that didn't turn out all 
right. 

Getting over the plays is a most valuable asset to 
an umpire. It enables him to be excused for what often 
appears to be a mistake, because he has made it apparent 
that he is trying. Thus from a position back of the 
catcher, taken at the start of the game, the umpire should 
make it a point to follow closely each hit. If the batter 



lo SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

hits the ball to the infield, the umpire should move into 
the diamond perhaps half the way down the line and 
assume a position about midway between the foul line 
and the pitcher's box, so that he may view the play from 
the proper angle. Also, in the case of an overthrow, 
should the runner try for second, the umpire is in a 
position to get right over the play, almost in advance of 
the runner. 

In case of a base-hit it is usually wise for the umpire 
to cut into the infield much after the manner of an 
infield hit, only that he should go farther into the in- 
field. First, because he should shift back of the pitcher 
the moment a runner gets on first, and, secondly, be- 
cause he will be right in line for a decision at second 
if the batter should try for two bases. 

With a runner on first only, the umpire remains back 
of the pitcher. There are various reasons for his so 
doing. With a runner on first, the pitcher frequently 
makes snap throws to that bag in an efifort to catch him. 
An umpire would be almost helpless in trying to decide 
that play from back of the catcher. In case the runner 
tries to steal, once again he is in a perfect position to 
get right over the play. Should there be a force at 
second, a try for a double play, or a decision at first, he 
is correctly positioned. 

The moment a runner reaches second or third ; that is, 
with men on first and second; first, second and third; 
second and third, or on either one of the two last named 
bases only, the umpire should work from back of the 
catcher. In such cases with a run or runs in sight, a 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY ii 

play is very apt to come up at the plate, which enables 
him to be in the best possible position to judge it. 

On sharply hit balls down the first or third base line, 
the umpire when working back of the pitcher is at a great 
disadvantage. His only hope is to move over toward the 
foul line as quickly as possible. In fact, I believe that 
the umpire should be up and doing, in action on every 
play. It is just about as easy to move around as stand 
still and is always far more satisfactory. At all times, 
but when working alone in particular, the umpire should 
never lose sight of the ball. If, with the double umpire 
system one official falls from grace, the other one is al- 
most certain to come to the rescue. 



i 



SHOWING POSITION OF FIELD UMPIRE WITH THREE ON BASES 
Very often in base ball the umpire finds the following situation confronting 
him: the bases are filled, and the score is such that the team in the field 
figures it must make an effort to get the runner at the plate. Such an 
action calls for the playing in close by the infield. The question that now 
arises is what is the best position for the umpire to assume, in order to be 
in the best possible situation to see any play that may arise. Since the 
infield is in close, I have always believed it a wise move to shift back of 
the infield. Since the desire is to make a hurried play, the umpire can in 
no way interfere if he is back of the line of defense. Otherwise it is 
always possible to use the umpire as an alibi, in case the defense fails, by 
saying his presence interfered with the play. I have always believed a 
position almpst directly back of the shortstop and runner as the best. Such 
a position gives the umpire an excellent view of second and third, should 
any play be made on a runner at either base, through the medium of a 
snap throw from catcher or a throw from the pitcher. His view of plays 
at first will not be quite so good, but by anticipating such plays and moving 
in the direction of the play as made, the umpire can get an excellent view. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 13 



The Double Umpire System 

The double umpire system has done much to solve 
the problem of running a ball game. One official admit- 
tedly cannot always care for the situations that can arise 
in a ball game. It would be necessary for said official 
to have eyes in the back of his head, when two situa- 
tions arise in directly opposite directions. For instance, 
we will say a play is being made at first, and at the same 
time the fielder at third interferes with the runner 
rounding that base. It is impossible for one man to be 
looking two places at the same time. 

With the double umpire system, the man calling balls 
and strikes is regarded as umpire-in-chief. He shall have 
full charge of the game and be responsible for its proper 
conduct. The American League is perhaps the only or- 
ganization which pays little or no attention to the umpire- 
in-chief theory. President Johnson places the two offi- 
cials on the same equality, expects them to work together, 
and follow a certain line of given instructions, which I 
will detail under another chapter, entitled, "The Double 
Umpire System in the American League." 

It shall be the duty of the so-called umpire-in-chief to 
call the balls and strikes. He must decide whether a 
batted ball is fair or foul. He shall call the balks on the 
pitcher. He shall rule on all batting-out-of-order plays. 
He shall determine all interferences at the plate, whether 
on the part of the catcher or batsman. He shall deter- 



14 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

mine whether or not a batsman in running to first, stays 
within the confines of his Hnes, or interferes with a play- 
being made upon him. He shall determine all ground 
rules that are necessary, and consult with the opposing 
managers as to what rules shall cover the various 
technicalities. If unable to have the managers agree, he 
shall make an arbitrary rule. 

The field umpire shall take up his position at first base. 
His primary duty will be to pass judgment on all plays 
that come up at first base. Just what is the best position 
to assume is a matter that is hard to agree upon, as few 
of the leading umpires have exactly the same style. The 
principal thing for the field umpire to keep in mind is 
that he always should be in a position where he will have 
the ball constantly in sight. This eliminates any chance 
for him to miss a play in which the ball is juggled or 
dropped and almost instantly regained. When acting as 
field umpire I always take up a position about fifteen or 
twenty feet back of first base, and about three feet in 
foul territory. I assume such a position simply to have 
a working basis. A great many umpires work much 
closer to the base. On balls hit to the second baseman 
I change my position but slightly, because I am in a good 
position to keep my eyes constantly on the ball. On balls 
hit to third or short, I move up at the start of the play 
until my position is perhaps six feet from first base, but 
toward the home plate this time. This enables me to 
always keep the play in front of me. If one stays behind 
the first baseman on throws from third or short, he allows 
the fielder to get between the runner and the ball, thereby 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 15 

causing him to lose sight of it, a condition one always 
should avoid. 

Tommy Connolly, one of the game's greatest umpires, 
always goes in on the diamond on all the plays that come 
up at first. He is always in fair territory when giving 
his rulings, while most umpires make their decision from 
foul ground. Moving in on fair territory has the dis- 
tinct advantage of always having the play directly in 
front of you. The only disadvantage is that one is more 
likely to be hit by a badly thrown ball, although during 
liis long career such a thing has never happened to Mr. 
Connolly. 

The plate and the field umpire should always work in 
perfect harmony to get the best results. They should 
always make it a point to see that every possible chance 
for a play is covered. 

(i) With a runner on first, the plate umpire should 
always run down to third, ready for a play on a ball hit 
fair, whether a bunted ball, a tap to the infield, or a 
base-hit. Very often on such plays the runner on first 
attempts to advance to third. With a runner on third, 
and more than one base occupied, the plate umpire shall 
decide whether the runner on third leaves that base be- 
fore a fly ball is caught. With only third base occupied, 
it is the duty of the field umpire to handle such a play. 

(2) When a runner is caught between third and home, 
when more than one base is occupied, it is the duty of 
the plate umpire to follow the play nearest the plate, 
and render a decision, even though the out is finally made 
at third base. 



l6 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

(3) With more than one runner on the bases, and 
a play comes up which causes one of the said runners 
to round third for home, it is advisable for the plate um- 
pire to observe the runner rounding third and see that 
he is not interfered with. 

(4) Very often on fly balls hit to the outfield, which 
turn out to be difficult chances, it is hard for the plate 
umpire in a great many cases to decide whether the ball 
was legally caught or trapped. With the double umpire 
system, the field umpire, who is much closer to the play, 
should run out into the outfield if necessary, and by a 
wave of the hand notify the plate umpire as to the legality 
of the catch. The plate umpire in the meantime should 
watch the base-runners, since the field umpire is in no 
position to observe them. 

(5) It shall be the duty of the plate umpire to rule on 
all infield flies. It is up to him to determine whether 
or not he believes they can be handled. 




1. William G. Evans; 2. Fiaiik oLoughlin ; 'A. Gr^.rj;.- H il.iHltr.iiul : 4. WiUiaTii 
Dineen; 5, C. B. Owens; 6, Thomas Connolly; 7, B. McCormick; 8, R. F. 
Nallin; 9, George Moriarty. 

AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES. 




1, Ernest C. Quigley; 2, William J. Klem; 3, A. L. Orth; 4, Charles Rigler; 
5, Henry O'Day; 6, William J. Byron; 7, Robert D. Emslie. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE UMPIRES. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 17 



The Double Umpire System in the 
American League 

There is no umpire-in-chief in the American League 
with two officials in charge of a game. The authority 
of the two umpires is equal. According to the playing 
code, only the umpire-in-chief has the right to forfeit 
the game. In the American League either official has 
the right and would be upheld by Mr. Johnson, although 
the American League President dislikes the idea of for- 
feiture and wants his men to refrain from so doing, if 
it is possible to get around the situation in any other 
way. 

The double umpire system was inaugurated to do 
away with many of the mistakes that occur with only 
one man in charge of the game. It became apparent sev- 
eral years ago that plays would get away from a single 
official, but that such a thing would not likely occur 
with two men officiating. It is still possible for an um- 
pire to slip up on a play that comes under his particular 
jurisdiction, but usually the other umpire in charge has 
seen the happening. In relation to such particular hap- 
penings the system used in the American League differs 
greatly from that followed in most other organizations. 

American League umpires when in doubt as to any play 
that involves something other than a mere question of 
judgment are instructed to request information from 
their partner as to the point in dispute. In fact, the 



i8 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

instruction is even more to the point, for Mr. Johnson 
favors immediate assistance on such plays from the 
umpire who reaHzes the other umpire is in error. I refer 
particularly to plays that involve the dropping of a ball 
or an interference. Very often an umpire will call a 
runner out and then immediately turn his back on the 
play. The ruling would have been the correct one had 
the ball been held, but it so happens the fielder drops the 
ball just as the official turns his back and is able to 
recover same before the umpire can be apprised of the 
error. Invariably the other official has seen the dropping 
of the ball. In most leagues the umpire under whom 
the play comes for a ruling stands pat on his first deci- 
sion, because he failed to see that the ball was dropped. 
The other umpire, because it is not his play, does not 
interfere, even though he knows the ruling was absolutely 
wrong. In the American League President Johnson 
favors immediate assistance from the umpire who did see 
the play and gives him the right to simply overrule the 
original decision, or, if not, to inform the official who 
made the ruling that the ball was dropped. The same 
holds good on an interference play that is missed by the 
umpire under whose jurisdiction such a play comes. 

The American League executive favors cooperation at 
all times between the two officials, when in doubt on plays 
that involve conditions other than mere judgment. On 
such plays he wants the umpire making the ruling to 
stand pat. But when an outside condition enters into 
the affair he wants the men to cooperate. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 19 



Methods of Conducting a Ball Game 

The successful umpire must be the master of every sit- 
uation. He must rule firmly, but not necessarily with an 
iron hand. He must instill confidence in the players over 
whom he is presiding. That confidence can only be won 
by demonstrating beyond a doubt that he has the proper 
qualifications to umpire, nerve, good judgment, a knowl- 
edge of the rules, and plenty of good common sense. 
Once the player is firmly convinced that the official is 
calling them without fear or favor, he will have won a 
certain amount of respect that greatly tends to make his 
work much easier. 

The modern umpire is clothed with unlimited author- 
ity, which is as it should be. However, it is a sad 
mistake to make improper use of his best weapon. Some 
officials go on the field seeking to immediately put into 
action the wheels of authority which they control. Their 
manner and style Is aggressive, their conduct such as 
to show they are almost inviting trouble. Literally they 
have a chip on their shoulder. To my mind that is 
entirely the wrong system to pursue. One will find 
enough trouble on the ball field without looking for it. It 
will just naturally come. The longer one avoids trouble 
by a display of diplomacy that in no way reflects on his 
dignity, the more fortunate he can count himself. 

There are some umpires who go on the ball field look- 
ing as though they were on trial for their life. Every 



120 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

feature is set, it is a serious proposition, they can see no 
humor in any situation that may arise. Of some umpires 
they do say that no one has ever seen them smile. I 
regard the smile with much favor. I believe a smile and 
a word of warning will go much farther with the average 
player than a scowl coupled with a threat, provided 
there is any gray matter lurking in said player's head. 
Occasionally the umpire runs into an athlete who must 
always hear the crack of the whip to be kept in line. 

The successful umpire demands the respect of the 
player, and in turn he should show proper respect to 
the player, just so long as the conduct of the player 
merits it. The umpire, because of his unlimited author- 
ity, should not address a player in terms which would 
cause the player to be ejected from the game if he so 
addressed the umpire. That is taking an unfair advan- 
tage. In some cases, instead of putting a player out 
of the game, I have slipped him a line of talk flavored 
with tabasco and let him remain, because I believed the 
offense was equal. That is not the desired system, nor 
the proper system, but occasionally it affords the umpire 
more satisfaction than the mere ejection of the player 
from the game. The proper way to meet such situations 
is never to place yourself on the same basis as the player. 
Instead of replying in like terms, let him do the raving, 
and you remain silent. It is the ideal system, but as I 
have said, every now and then it is impossible to follow 
it, as the umpire is only human after all. 

Every umpire has his strenuous afternoons when 
everything goes wrong. It is best to try to forget them. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 21 

If you constantly worry, you had better quit. Try to 
start every game with a clean slate. When the day is 
over leave the troubles of the afternoon in the dressing 
room. One cannot be vindictive and be a good umpire, 
as it is bound to seriously affect his work. Work on the 
theory that every player is a gentleman, accord him the 
treatment he deserves until he demonstrates to you that 
he is a rowdy, then in a gentlemanly way, if such a thing 
is possible, handle him a bit rougher than he is trying 
to handle you. If you seek respect, you must give a like 
amount. 



SHOWING POSITION OF FIELD UMPIRE WITH RUNNER 
ON THIRD 
With a runner on third and less than two out, what is the best position 
for the field umpire? It becomes his duty with only one man on, to see 
that the runner holds his base, before trying to advance on a fly ball that 
is caught. In such cases, it is the consensus of opinion of most umpires 
that the best position is to stand 6 to 8 feet back of third base and about 
a foot in foul territory. This gives the umpire a perfect view of any play 
that might be made on the runner at third. The moment a fly ball is hit 
the umpire should move up to third, and so position himself that he is on 
a line with the player making the catch and has the runner before him. 
In case a ball is hit to an infielder and a. play is being made at first, all 
he need do is cut in on the infield and get as close as possible. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 23 



Offenses That Merit Punishment 

I am often asked what causes this or that player's ejec- 
tion from the game. The fans see the disputes but sel- 
dom hear what is said, hence the reason for wanting 
to know just how the umpire reaches a conclusion when 
he puts a player out of the game. That is indeed a diffi- 
cult question to answer. The successful umpire must 
be an excellent judge of human nature, and he must make 
an even more careful study of the players' disposition 
than a pitcher does of a batter's weakness. Thus what 
may mean ejection from the game for a certain player, 
might merely result in a reprimand for some other 
athlete. 

It is an excellent thing for the umpire not to hear 
too much on the ball field. By making it appear that 
he has not heard certain things, he can escape situa- 
tions in a graceful manner that might otherwise turn out 
to be serious affairs. The late Jack Sheridan once said 
to me : "An umpire's success is in a large measure deter- 
mined by his ability to hear the things he should hear, 
and see only the things he should see." I have on many 
occasions found that to be a most valuable bit of advice. 

I figure that an umpire must be guided by existing con- 
ditions in a great many cases. It is possible for him to 
overlook an exchange of words with some player, if there 
is no one within hearing. The same remark, if overheard 
by a visiting player, would mean that the umpire in order 



24 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

to maintain discipline, would be forced to put the player 
out of the game. That is merely an instance of what 
Sheridan meant, when he said an umpire should hear 
only those things he should hear. 

The umpire does not care to be shown up before the 
crowd. In no way can a player bring more ridicule on an 
official than by his actions. It doesn't take much on the 
part of the player to arouse the wrath of the crowd. A 
shake of the head, the stepping out of the batter's box, or 
any one of a score of things, can in an unmistakable way 
call the attention of the crowd to the fact that the player 
doesn't look on the ruling with favor. Such actions are 
seriously objected to by any umpire. No official will 
resent an argument properly presented, and no official 
will resent a player's opinion that he has missed a play, 
if he so complains by word of mouth. It is the player 
who seeks to alibi by some grand stand play that gets 
the umpire peeved. 

In this connection there are a number of stunts which 
most umpires regard as sufficient cause to eject the player 
from the game. The throwing of a glove high in the air 
after a decision that displeases is almost certain to draw 
the gate, unless it escaped the umpire's attention. As 
Umpire Bill Byron once facetiously remarked, the balls 
were made to be thrown and the gloves worn. The grab- 
bing or shoving of an official after a decision that does 
not meet with approval, is another stunt not regarded 
with favor. These are but a few of the many grand 
stand stunts that do not meet with umpirical favor. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 25 



Looking After the Minor Details 

Prior to starting play on any grounds the umpire should 
carefully survey his field and note any peculiarities of 
same. If there are any features about the field that 
might cause a dispute, the umpire should get the two 
managers together and arrange details which would cover 
any situation that may arise. In a great many cases the 
reason for getting a ground rule on a certain feature may 
seem trivial, yet a game often hinges on such a techni- 
cality, and if the official has no definite working basis, 
he is bound to find himself in serious trouble. 

I am often asked what attention is paid to the coacher. 
I have always believed that pepper and enthusiasm by the 
coacher adds much to the life of the game. For that 
reason I always let the coacher go the limit, just so long 
as he confines himself to talking to the batter or base- 
runner and pays no attention to the opposition. The 
moment he tries to annoy the opposition he is either 
silenced or sent back to the bench. 

The umpire should make it a point to appear on the 
field in neat attire. The umpire who goes on the field 
without paying attention to his personal appearance at 
once creates the impression that his work will not be 
unlike his appearance. He should avoid getting into 
arguments whenever possible, either with player or spec- 
tator, because someone must lose an argument, and if 
you avoid them, there is never a chance of getting the 
wrong end of the decision. 



26 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Don'ts for Umpires 

Don't go on the ball field with a chip on your shoulder. 
You will find plenty of trouble without looking for it. 

Umpires hate to lose arguments. Therefore, avoid 
them whenever possible, and you greatly decrease your 
chance of losing. 

Never enter into debates with the spectators. Un- 
fortunately for the umpire, the base ball fan seems to 
have the divine right to say what he pleases and the 
easiest way out is to pay no attention. 

No umpire will for a minute stand for a ball player 
showing him up on the field. Likewise, no umpire, 
because he has the authority, should hold the player up 
to ridicule without just cause. 

Spectators like to see the regular lineup in action. The 
ejection of several players from the game usually robs it 
of much of its interest. Always try to give the specta- 
tors a run for their money, if it is possible to do so, 
and still maintain the dignity of your position. 

It is often possible to escape trouble by not seeing some 
of the things you shouldn't see, and giving the impression 
that you didn't hear some of the things that you shouldn't 
have heard. 

A smile and a kind word often works to far greater 
advantage than a frown and sarcasm. A lot of umpires 
go on the field wearing the look of a man about to go to 
the electric chair. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 27 

Always maintain strict discipline, but don't do it in 
such a way that you create the impression that you are a 
slave driver, and all others must dance to the crack of 
your whip. 

Never lose sight of the ball. If you know where it is 
at all times, you are not going to lose very many plays. 
It is worse for someone to pull the hidden ball trick 
and the umpire not to see it, than it is for the player who 
has been trapped. 

Don't turn your head and look the other way after you 
have given a decision. A lot of things can happen while 
you are looking in the opposite direction. 

Show a little "pepper" in your work. If the umpire 
is always on the alert, the players invariably get the 
spirit. If the umpire is content to have the game drag, 
the players seldom offer any objection. 

There are always two ways of doing things on the ball 
field — the right and wrong way — and invariably the right 
way proves by far the easiest. 

Impress the players that you are the boss, that you 
intend to run the game with a firm hand, and they will 
let you run it. Give them the notion that you can be 
swayed, and they will literally run you out of the game. 

A lot of people say umpires are not human. They are 
wrong. It is human to err, and umpires err. If they 
made as many mistakes as most fans insist they do, they 
would indeed be very human. 

After having made what appears to be a mistake, and 
it so happens the next decision favors the team against 
whom the mistake was made, a lot of foolish fans say, 



28 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

the umpire is simply evening up things. That is all 
wrong. No umpire who ever succeeded for a minute 
adopted such a policy. It is bad enough to have made 
the first mistake, to even up simply adds another blunder. 

All umpires are honest. If you have the slightest 
doubt about it, make it a point to question the honesty 
of an official some day after he has been through a 
strenuous contest. 

Don't render your decisions too quickly. Nothing 
makes an umpire look worse than to render a decision 
before the play is completed, even though he is right. 
Often something happens that makes the umpire wish he 
had not figured the play in advance. 

A good appearance always creates a pleasing first 
impression. Most umpires who are so slovenly in their 
dress, show a similar inclination in their work. 

Never allow a coacher to call plays before you decide 
them. If you happen to decide his way, the opposition 
will insist he is getting to you first. Usually a word to 
the coacher that you will do the umpiring, and that all 
he is required to do is coach, will end the trouble. If 
diplomacy fails to settle the case, there is always room 
on the bench or in the clubhouse for one more. 

Make it a point to start your games promptly on time. 
The public likes it and the public must be pleased. Any 
time you start late, you are beginning the day with a 
mistake. The fewer mistakes you make, the better 
umpire you are supposed to be. 

Make it a point to treat every ball player like a gentle- 
man. If you should find certain players don't conform 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 29 

to that standard, treat them otherwise. If certain players 
try to make Hfe miserable to you, your only salvation is 
to make it more miserable for them. 

Always make it a point to be on top of a play. If you 
are right over the play and miss it, you are far more 
liable to get away with such a decision than if you never 
moved, and gave the play while standing fifteen or twenty 
feet away. 

An umpire must use consideration and common sense 
in running a ball game. If he ejected a player every time 
he had cause, few contests would go the required nine 
innings. In the heat of battle players often do and say 
things they do not mean, and often it is possible to over- 
look some infractions of this sort, without an injurious 
effect. 



30 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Umpires Are Human After All 

Umpires are human, despite all assertions to the con- 
trary. Apparently a great many people believe that the 
men who give the decisions on the diamond are composed 
of some strange substance — possibly mineral or vegetable 
or animal substance, but certainly not a human one. I 
once met a young lady who, upon hearing that I was an 
umpire, seemed greatly surprised to learn that I had a 
father and mother and sisters and brothers ; that I lived 
in a house; ate real food; was married — in short that I 
was a human being, able to love and hate, and if stuck 
with a pin would very likely say "ouch!" or something 
worse. 

Each day when the umpire steps on the ball field he 
has eighteen active athletes arrayed against him, as well 
as two live managers, and an imposing bunch of bench 
warmers. There is also the crowd to be considered, for 
as a rule the majority of those present agree with the 
umpire only when he renders a decision that is in favor 
of the home team. Several years ago a very fair minded 
fan asked me this rather pertinent question : 

"When you go on the ball field, who do you try to 
please, and what effects do the kicks of the players and 
the ravings of the crowd have on you?'* 

"When I go on the field I try to satisfy myself," I 
replied. "I give the plays just as I see them, without 
fear or favor. When I satisfy myself I feel that I have 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 31 

umpired a good game. Often I leave the game anything 
but pleased with my work, for I often realize too late 
that I have erred. Frequently I have umpired the very 
best of ball, and still been severely criticised for rulings 
which I knew were absolutely correct. If an umpire 
catered to each player and gave the crowd the slightest 
consideration in the rendering of decisions, he would be 
in the madhouse inside of a month. The most pleasant 
part of a ball game to me is when the last man is retired 
in the ninth and the crowd files peacefully out and no 
one blames the umpire for the defeat." 

Despite the fact that umpiring is considered a difficult 
position to fill with satisfaction, it is surprising the num- 
ber of people who are willing to take a chance. In the 
winter time, when the stove leagues are in session, is 
when the umpire crop is most plentiful. When the snow 
is on the ground, the heads of the majors and minors 
are flooded with applications from men anxious to prove 
what a great mistake is being made in keeping them out 
of the big show. By spring, when the season is ready 
to start, many lose their desire to try to satisfy fandom 
and decide to stick to their winter job. By July the heat 
of the sun and the withering sarcasm of the fan usually 
has burned up the crop and officials are eagerly sought. 

Several years ago an enthusiastic young umpire 
dropped into my dressing room at the Chicago grounds. 
He wanted to get a job in a minor league. A few min- 
utes later a well known minor league president dropped 
in to see me. I introduced the umpire to the president. 
"I can use a good umpire," said the president, "but I 



32 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

can't afford to pay much money, as my league is an easy 
one for the umpires. All you have to do is to satisfy 
the players, managers, club owners, public and the press, 
and you won't have any trouble holding your job." Fol- 
lowing my suggestions, the young umpire declined the 
job. It was too easy. 

''I wouldn't hold down your job for all the money in 
the world," is an expression that every umpire hears hun- 
dreds of times a year. But most umpires are perfectly 
content to work for a very small portion of the world's 
"mazuma." Most people regard them as a necessary 
evil. However, I think they are very necessary, and if 
you ever watched an important game that was umpired 
by a couple of players, you will agree with me. And 
most umpires are satisfied with their lot. I with mine. 
I hope to be a big leaguer for many years to come. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 33 



* The Fan and the Umpire 

"Your job would never suit me," remarked an acquaint- 
ance of mine as he stepped into our dressing room 
one afternoon last summer. The game had been a bitter 
extra inning battle, which the home team had lost because 
of a close decision at the plate. Throughout the game 
all of the close plays seemed to break against the home 
club, and several peculiar plays came up which created 
considerable argument. To make matters worse, the 
fans, not familiar with the facts, roared. "I couldn't 
stand to be abused when I knew I was right," added 
the friend. My partner had just explained the reasons 
for deciding several of the plays as we did. *T am sure 
there would be less criticism if every fan at some time 
would be unfortunate enough to have to officiate as 
umpire in some important game," remarked the fan after 
he had listened to the explanation. I had to laugh, for 
it was an opinion I had long entertained. 

It is to be regretted that every fan cannot at some 
time act as umpire in a ball game of some importance. 
A game in which there would be keen rivalry, and the 
outcome of great importance to both teams, would be 
the best to educate the fan in the troubles of the arbi- 
trator. It would be a good thing if every umpire would 
occasionally attend an important game as a spectator. 
^The experience would prove especially beneficial if the 
umpire as a spectator, should pull strongly for one of the 



34 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

clubs to win and see the chances of his favorites killed 
time after time because of some adverse decision by the 
umpire. This would give the fan a chance to get all the 
thrills that come to an umpire in a big game, and it would 
give the umpire a chance to understand why the fans 
rave when one close decision after another is given 
against the favorite. 

I never really appreciated the position of the fan until 
the fall of 191 1 when in the role of writer I saw the 
world series between the Athletics and the Giants. 
While I refrained from rooting like a dyed-in-the-wool 
fan, decision after decision came up that first made the 
Athletic fans tear their hair and the next moment made 
the Giant rooters rave like madmen. 

Plays look different from a position in the grand 
stand. One play after another came up in the world 
series that looked one way from a seat in the grand stand, 
while the umpire ruled just the opposite. Many of the 
plays would have figured prominently in the run-getting 
had they been decided differently. Is it any wonder that 
fans raved when the official gave decision after decision 
opposite to the way the play looked to them and against 
their favorites. 

I realized things were taking place on the ball field 
with which the people in the stands were not familiar. 
From my experience as an umpire, I knew some little 
things that could not be discerned from the grand stand 
were the deciding factors in the rulings. I knew the 
umpires must be right and the spectators wrong from 
the attitude assumed by the players. After each game 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 35 

I went downtown with the umpires and was enlightened 
on the plays that had looked doubtful to me as a spec- 
tator. On a certain play in which the runner appeared 
to be an easy out the fielder had failed to touch him. 
On another play, when it seemed as if the base-runner 
had been successful in stealing a base, it developed he 
would have been, had he not overslid and been touched 
out before he could recover the bag. On a third play, 
where it seemed as if the batter was an easy out at 
first, it was explained the throw had pulled the first 
baseman just off the bag. In every case some little factor 
that was not noticed by the spectators proved to be the 
deciding point. Unfortunately, the umpires have no way 
of explaining these things to the fans as they did to me. 
If there was some way in which the spectators could be 
informed as to what really happened on the field, much 
less abuse would be handed the umpire. 



SHOWING POSITION OF FIELD UMPIRE WITH RUNNERS ON 
FIRST AND THIRD 
With runners on first and third and the infield playing half way, assume a 
position about forty feet back of the pitcher, and about six feet to his left. 
An attempted theft of second, to draw a throw that may offer a chance for 
the runner to score from third, is the play the umpire must anticipate. On 
tliis play the second baseman cuts in to cut off the throw and make a play 
at the plate. If he sees the man on third does not intend to try to go 
home, he lets the throw go through. It then becomes the duty of the 
Ehortstop to handle it and try for a play at second. Collins and Barry, 
when with the Athletics, made this play to perfection. The umpire on this 
play, at the start of the throw should move up close to the pitcher, so as 
to in no way interfere with the play. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY Z7 



Explaining Much Discussed Infield Fly 

What is an infield fly? That question is often asked 
me. In a way it is hard to explain satisfactorily, al- 
though on the face it does not appear a problem difficult 
of solution. Invariably I reply that an infield fly is any 
fly ball, other than a line drive, which in the judgment 
of the umpire can be handled by an infielder. That is 
practically the definition given in the playing code, and 
it is probably the best way to put it, although it does not 
mean a great deal in that form, because of the many 
conditions that can arise. 

I am often asked what the umpire would do if he 
decided a certain fly ball could be handled by an infielder, 
and immediately so declared himself, only to have an 
outfielder make an inglorious muff. It might be well 
to state no matter who handles the ball it is an infield 
fly the moment the umpire so rules and the ruling stands. 
To illustrate I will cite a play in a major league game 
in which I was the official in charge. 

With runners on first and second and one man out 
and the team at bat three runs behind, the batter hit a 
high fly. The moment the ball was hit I called, "infield 
fly," as is customary with American League umpires. 
The shortstop started to make the play on the ball and 
backed just off the skimmed infield on to the grass and 
set himself. The batter had the reputation of being a 
hard hitter and the outfield was playing fairly deep. The 



38 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

left fielder, a fast man, came tearing in after the ball. He 
did not hear me call ''infield fly," and had made up his 
mind he could make a play on the ball. Neither did he 
hear the shortstop shout he could handle the ball. Instead 
he came thundering on, calling out he would make the 
play. 

The shortstop would have made the easiest kind of a 
play. Fearing a collision, he stepped aside and let the left 
fielder go through with the play. It was a difficult chance 
for the outfielder, a shoestring catch, which he muffed 
and then turned a couple of somersaults. Regaining 
his feet, he picked up the ball, and tried to head off 
the runner, who had started from second to third. He 
made a bad throw, as did the player who recovered the 
ball. When the smoke had cleared away, the runners 
on first and second had scored and the batsman had also 
made the circuit. 

Many home fans as well as players believed the 
score had been tied. I allowed the first two runs, but 
there was nothing doing on the batsman. The team at 
bat contended that since the fly ball was handled by an 
outfielder, it could not be classed as an infield fly. It was 
hard to convince some of them that it made no difference 
who handled the ball, just so long as the umpire believed 
an infielder could handle it, and immediately so ruled. 

There is only one situation where umpires are slow 
to rule balls infield flies that under ordinary conditions 
would be immediately so labeled. With runners on first 
and second and no one out, the sacrifice play is often 
called for. On such occasion the entire infield is in 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 39 

motion as the play starts. The first baseman comes tear- 
ing in to handle balls down the first base line, and to 
make a play at any bag that seems best ; the second base- 
man is tearing over toward first to cover that bag; the 
shortstop shifts to second base ; the third baseman moves 
over to cover third, while the pitcher handles all bunts 
down the third base line. At such times a batter often 
bunts a fly ball, that under most conditions would be 
called an infield fly, but because the entire infield is out 
of position the umpire usually insists the ball be handled. 



40 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Mixing Common Sense with the Rules 

There are many times in base ball where the official 
in charge must mix some common sense judgment in his 
interpretation of the playing code. Not a summer passes 
but what I am queried a score of times on a certain play, 
which requires the mixing in of a little common sense. 
The play I refer to involves the failure to touch a base 
by a runner, and then the touching of that base by a 
following base-runner, who is ignorant of the fact that 
the man who preceded him has neglected one of the 
rules. The query always relates to the status of the fol- 
lowing runner or runners. 

To illustrate: We will say that in the 1916 world 
series, with Brooklyn in the lead, Larry Gardner, with 
two men on, hit a home run. By the way, Gardner did 
hit two home runs in that series, two runners being on 
the bases when he came through with one of the wallops. 
We will assume the runners were on first and second and 
no one out, when Gardner cracked out his home run. 
We will also assume the runner originally on second 
failed to touch third as he raced to the plate. The run- 
ner originally on first touched each base in proper order, 
as did Gardner. The general feeling among the crowd 
was that Boston had scored three runs and taken the 
lead. Now for the trouble. 

The failure of the first runner to touch third had been 
noted by the guardian of that base and by the umpire. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 41 

As soon as he could attract the attention of the player 
with the ball, the third sacker called for it and touched 
third base with the ball in his possession. Since the 
first runner had failed to touch third, he had erred and 
made himself liable to be put out. He was so declared 
by the umpire in charge the moment the fielder touched 
third base with the ball in his possession. 

Now for the point that is a constant source of dis- 
pute. We will say the Brooklyn manager raised the 
contention that not only the first runner was out but 
that the runner originally on first and Gardner, who hit 
the ball, also should be declared out, making the situation 
take on the form of a triple play, retiring the side rather 
than a home run that scored two men ahead of him. The 
Brooklyn manager based his contention on the rule that 
a base-runner is out the moment he passes on the lines a 
preceding runner. Since the runner originally on second 
failed to touch third, and the two runners following him 
did, hence they technically passed him on the line, is the 
claim. 

That sounds like a rather foolish sort of an argument, 
yet it is surprising the number of authorities who are 
inclined to that view. Can you imagine the umpire in 
charge of a world series game declaring all three run- 
ners out? Personally, I have never been for that inter- 
pretation. I can see no reason why runners who conform 
to all the rules of the game, should be penalized for an 
offense committed by the runner ahead of them. It is 
my belief only the runner who erred should suffer a pen- 
alty. 



42 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

The runner on first and Gardner who hit the ball 
touched each base, and complied with all the rules relat- 
ing to the proper scoring of a run. I contend such runs 
should count, except when the mistake of the runner 
ahead made the third out in the inning. Undoubtedly 
such a situation will always cause disputes and protests, 
until the rule makers see fit to incorporate a new clause in 
the rules which will definitely state that with one or none 
out, the failure of a runner to touch a base, shall have 
no bearing on the runner or runners who follow him. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 43 



Nice for Majors— How About Others? 

It is all very nice for the major league to have a cer- 
tain league ruling of their own to govern an unusual 
feature of a disputed rule, but what about the thousands 
of amateur players who have no league president to 
formulate a satisfactory rule to govern the various freak 
plays that come up? 

A few years ago the rulemakers incorporated in the 
playing code a section which limited the activities of the 
coacher at third. It had always been customary up to 
that time for the coacher to use any means possible to 
stop a runner, if he believed the runner was sure to be 
retired in his effort to score. In many instances plays 
at third resembled scenes from the gridiron. It was not 
unusual for the coacher to save the day and the runner 
by pulling off a flying tackle and preventing the runner 
from trying to score on a hit, where the odds were all 
against him going over. 

The rule states the base-runner is out, if a coacher at 
third touch or hold a base-runner at third base, or a 
base-runner who is rounding third base for the home 
plate. The umpire must immediately call the runner 
out, the action of the coacher in touching or holding him 
automatically retiring the runner. The framing of that 
rule was an excellent bit of progress, for it compelled the 
runner to think more for himself, also to pay more atten- 
tion to the advice of the coacher, rather than to run with 



44 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

his head down, and take a chance that the coacher would 
use force to stop him if it seemed he was going to his 
certain doom. 

In one of the first games of the season after the new 
rule had been put into the code, a situation came up 
that put the acid test to the line of reasoning. In a game 
at Baltimore in the Federal League, a player hit the ball 
out of playing territory. It was a long drive well worth 
being put in the home run class. The drive came when 
it meant much to the team at bat. The manager was 
coaching at third. In his enthusiasm over the hit of the 
player, the manager gave him a pat on the back as he 
rounded third base at a jog, on his way to the plate. 

It is easy to imagine the argument that went up when 
the umpire called out the runner who had batted the ball 
over the fence. He based his ruling on that clause which 
states that the coacher at third must not touch or hold a 
runner rounding third base. The pat of encouragement 
was construed as touching the player. That play proved 
there was a flaw in the rule. The following day Ameri- 
can League umpires received a wire from President 
Johnson, who was quick to see that something was wrong. 
That wire instructed American League umpires to pay 
no attention to any action of the coacher when action 
was done after a chance for a play had ceased. The 
National League also took a similar view. It is all very 
nice for the two major leagues to have the play cleared 
up, but why not clear it up for the amateurs ? 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 45 



The Toughest Decision I Ever Made 

Umpiring is merely a matter of judgment, and opin- 
ions of plays naturally differ. Two men sitting side by 
side in the grand stand may have opposite opinions of a 
dozen plays. Frequently their opinions are the result 
of partisan feelings. If the umpire put every play up 
to the fans for a decision, base ball would be a wild affair. 
Perhaps what was the toughest decision in my career I 
put up to the fans and they answered it correctly, 
although against the team they were rooting for. They 
did not know what they were doing and imagined they 
were aiding their favorites by expressing themselves as 
they did. 

The game was at Forbes Field in the fall of 1909, and 
was a world series contest between Detroit and Pitts- 
burgh. Pittsburgh had taken the first game, and wanted 
a commanding lead by annexing the second contest. The 
decision I refer to came up in the opening inning of this 
game. 

A crowd of over 32,000 was on hand. Such a crowd 
taxed the seating and standing capacity. Temporary 
stands had been erected along the right field foul line 
from just back of first base to the stands that stretched 
from right to left field. It was agreed a hit bouncing into 
the stands in foul territory should go for two bases. This 
was to guard against fluke home runs, as it would have 
been possible for a puny fly to drop safely back of first 



46 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

base, and by having been given the proper "English," as?, 
a billiard player would say, bound into these temporary 
stands. A hit that bounded into the stands on fair terri- 
tory — those that skirted the outfield — was to go as a 
home run. 

Bobby Byrne of Pittsburgh was the first to face Bill 
Donovan in the opening inning and went to first on four 
straight balls. Tommy Leach doubled to right, scoring 
Byrne. It looked as if the Pirates would pile up a lead 
that would cinch the game. Fred Clarke's sacrifice, Dono- 
van to Tom Jones, moved Leach to third. Hans Wag- 
ner loomed up big at this moment, but he disappointed 
the Pirate rooters by striking out. Miller was next and 
started the trouble. He hit a long drive down the right 
field foul line that looked for a time as if it might clear 
the fence. The ball struck just inside the foul line in 
deep right and then bounded out of view. Leach scored 
and Miller trotted home after him. The fans went wild, 
believing it a home run. 

I was in doubt as to what decision to render, as it 
was next to impossible to follow the ball from my posi- 
tion back of the plate. When it hit the ground the fans 
in the bleachers all stood up and leaned over the railing, 
practically cutting off my view of the final destination 
of the ball. I conferred with Bill Klem, who was work- 
ing the bases, but he was as much in doubt as I, as to 
whether it was a double or a home run. Fred Clarke of 
the Pirates was in insisting on a home run, while Hughey 
Jennings of the Tigers claimed the hit was only good for 
two bases. I wanted to do justice to both clubs, but it 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 47 

seemed the only thing I could do was to make a guess. 
Then I had an inspiration and decided to take the long 
chance it offered. I rushed out into right field with Jen- 
nings and Clarke at my heels. 

"Was that ball fair or foul?" I asked. 

There was none but Pittsburgh rooters in that section, 
as it was reserved for them alone, and in an instant a 
hundred voices yelled : 

"It was fair by a foot." 

It was then up to me to learn into which stand the ball 
bounded after striking the ground. The fans did not 
know a ground rule had been agreed upon. 

"Well, if it was fair, where did it bounce?" I called 
back. 

"It bounded into this stand," yelled back the fans. 
"Yes, and I have the ball and I am going to keep it," said 
one spectator as he exhibited a brand new ball. 

The stand was on foul territory and meant the hit 
was only good for two bases. Neither Clarke nor Jen- 
nings had anything further to say. Miller was sent back 
to second and the game proceeded. The Pirates did no 
further scoring, and lost 7 to 2, Donovan being invincible 
after the first inning. Had the fans not set me right, I 
would have allowed a home run. It would have probably 
put the Tigers to rout, and it might have been unneces- 
sary to play seven games to decide the winner of that 
series. 

That decision was also the cause of four umpires being 
used in the following world series games. Had an umpire 
been stationed in right field that day it would not have 
been necessary to have appealed to the fans. 



48 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Interference Rule Should Be Changed 

In the ninth inning of a game in which I recently 
officiated, with the score a tie, two out, a runner on third, 
a fast man attempted a steal of home. The man on 
third had figured the play carefully, got away to a big 
lead, and from my position back of the plate it seemed 
almost certain he would beat the play. There is no pret- 
tier way in which to win a game in the ninth than a 
steal of home, unless it is a clout for a home run with 
the bases filled, that sends over the needed four runs. 

The fans were on their feet shouting encouragement 
to the base-runner, the visiting pitcher had shortened his 
windup and hurried his delivery to the plate, the catcher 
was yelhng madly for the ball. The throw was inside 
and low, and it would probably have hit the batsman. 
The catcher, forgetful of everything except the desire 
to retire the runner, pushed the batsman out of the way 
and made a lunge after the ball. It escaped him and 
rolled to the stand, while batsman, catcher and base-run- 
ner were all tangled up at the plate. The crowd was 
wild with enthusiasm, believing the game had been won. 
Such a situation is never pleasant for the umpire. 

Imagine the feelings of the crowd and the kind words 
that were passed to the umpire, when he sent the bats- 
man to first, and the runner who apparently scored the 
winning run back to third. Until the rule covering such 
plays at the plate is changed, there will always be plenty 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 49 

of argument. The rules on this play state that when the 
catcher interferes with the batsman, the batsman shall 
be entitled to first base, but no bases shall be run, unless 
forced to make room for the batsman. In this case, since 
only third was occupied, the runner was sent back to 
third and the batter to first. 

That is the literal interpretation of the rule. It is fol- 
lowed in the American League, but not in the National. 
While the National League version gets away from the 
letter of the rule, it is the fair interpretation, because it 
IS based on common sense and fair play, the fundamental 
principles of the game. In the National League the 
runner is not only allowed to score, but the batter sent 
to first base. The batter is sent to first base, because the 
catcher has interfered with him in his attempt to hit the 
ball. According to the rules play ceases when an inter- 
ference is committed. But the National League lets 
the runner come home on the theory that the catcher has 
left the lines of his position and made a balk. Of course, 
allowing two such rulings on the same play does not con- 
form with the rules, but it is the proper decision, basing 
everything on fair play. 

It would be easy to end all argument over this play 
if the rule makers will add a few words to a certain sec- 
tion. If the rule which grants the batsman the right 
to first because of an interference by the catcher, also 
permitted all runners to advance a base, whether forced 
or not, seldom would there be an interference play at 
the plate. There would be nothing for the catcher to 
gain. 



50 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



The Batsman and the Balk 

Can a batter at any time take his base on a balk ? Can 
a base-runner score from third on a balk. These two 
questions are fired at me a score of times each season, 
and perhaps an equal number of times during the win- 
ter. 

Many fans are certain a base-runner can go from first 
to second on a balk and from second to third, but there 
always seems to be a doubt if a run can be scored from 
third, on some illegal movement which the umpire in 
charge construes as a balk. There also exists doubt as 
to the status of the batter when a balk is declared, par- 
ticularly if at the time there happens to be three balls 
called on the batsman. There is a widespread impression 
a balk at such a stage, also is classified as a ball, and 
entitles the batsman to take first. 

Now to settle the first question: Can a batter at 
any time take his base on a balk? No; positively no. 
A batsman cannot at any time take his base on a balk. 
There is one particular phase of this situation that can 
come up. It did in the American League several years 
ago. It finally resulted in the game being forfeited. 

An American League pitcher was delivering the ball 
illegally. As I have the facts, at no time did he have 
either foot in contact with the rubber. The umpire, 
noticing it, warned the pitcher and explained what was 
wrong with his delivery. The pitcher delivered the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 51 

next ball in the same manner. Although it was right 
over the plate, the umpire ruled it a ball. Rule 32 states 
that with the bases unoccupied any ball delivered by the 
pitcher, while no foot is in contact with the rubber, shall 
be declared a ball. The pitcher delivered four similar 
balls to the batter. All were over the plate, yet all 
were declared balls, entitling the runner to his base on 
four balls. 

Now for a peculiar angle of the above trouble. The 
first batter up, having reached first base, the pitcher con- 
tinues to deliver the ball in the same improper fashion. 
What, according to Rule 2>^, was a ball with the bases 
unoccupied, now takes a different interpretation. The 
first ball delivered to the second batter was after the 
same fashion. Instead of it being a ball on the batter, 
it becomes a balk on the part of the pitcher. It entitled 
the runner to advance from first to second. Another 
similar pitch sent the runner from second to third, while 
another scored the runner from third. Each such deliv- 
ery with a runner on constituted a balk. The moment 
the runner scored and the bases were again unoccupied, 
the umpire started calling balls. At this stage of the 
game, it broke up, one team leaving the field and the 
umpire was compelled to forfeit the game. 

Can a runner score from third on a balk? That ques- 
tion was answered in the explanation offered in the pre- 
ceding paragraph. A runner certainly can score from 
third when the umpire calls a balk. All base-runners 
have a right to advance a base when the umpire calls a 
balk, as clearly defined in Section 3 of Rule 54. 



52 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Play That Always Creates A Dispute 

What are the rights of a pitcher when he attempts 
to get a runner at the plate after once getting on the 
rubber with the ball in his possession? If a runner takes; 
too great a lead off first to suit the pitcher, he has a right 
to drive him back by stepping in the direction of the first 
baseman and then throwing the ball to that player. If 
a runner on first makes a break for second, and the 
pitcher's attention is called to the fact, he has a right to 
wheel around and throw the ball to second base to head 
off the runner, first stepping in the direction of the base 
to which he desires to throw. He has the same right to 
intercept a runner going from second to third. 

The trouble comes when a runner makes a dash for 
the plate from third, after the pitcher gets on the rub- 
ber. The contention is raised that since the pitcher has 
a right to throw to any other base from his position on 
the rubber, he should have the same right to throw to 
the plate. The dispute, of course, hinges on the fact 
that when the pitcher delivers a ball to the plate while 
standing on the rubber it is regarded as a legal pitch. 

Recently a play came up in the Western League which 
caused a great deal of discussion. The umpire wrote me 
about the play and asked me what I thought about it. 
It happened that the identical play came up in the Ameri- 
can League eight or nine years ago. It resulted in a 
protested game and caused President Johnson to issue an 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 53 

interpretation of the play for his umpires. Here are 
the conditions : The score is a tie, it is the last half of 
the ninth, the bases are filled and the count is three and 
two on the batter. The pitcher with the ball gets on 
the rubber ready to pitch. He has made no preliminary 
motions, his arms are at his sides. The moment he gets 
on the rubber, the runner on third starts for the plate. 
The pitcher standing on the rubber ready to pitch is 
slightly bewildered. He hurriedly delivers the ball to the 
plate. It is a wild pitch, missing the plate by a foot. 
The catcher gets the ball and touches the runner coming 
in from third. The Western League umpire and the 
American League umpire called the runner out. 

The American League game was protested, as was the 
Western League contest. The team at bat insisted the 
pitcher had made a legal delivery when he threw the ball 
to the plate, since he was on the rubber ready to pitch. 
As the delivery was wild, it was insisted that the umpire 
should have declared it a ball, making the fourth to the 
batter, entitling him to first base, and forcing the winning 
run over the plate. The contention of the umpire was 
that the pitcher had a perfect right to make a play at the 
plate, just as he has to first, second or third. When mak- 
ing a play at first, the pitcher is forced to step toward 
that base and then throw the ball to that base, if he is 
on the rubber. When making a play to second or third, 
while on the rubber, he must step in the direction of the 
base, but need not throw it if he deems it unwise. 

There is no denying the right of the pitcher to make a 
play at the plate, but if he is on the rubber some method 



54 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

for making that play is necessary. If the pitcher, while 
standing on the rubber, threw the ball to the batter, it is 
regarded as a legal pitch. Consequently it was neces- 
sary that some ruling be made on such a happening. 
President Johnson ruled that it was necessary for the 
pitcher to step off the rubber, by taking a step to either 
side or the rear, when desiring to make a play to the 
plate to intercept a runner after once getting on the rub- 
ber ready to pitch. That is the interpretation in vogue in 
the American League and makes an easy play for the 
umpire on what appears to be a very difficult problem at 
the first glance. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 55 



The Introduction of a Pinch Hitter 

Del Gainer with his timely base-hit was the hero of 
the fourteenth inning game of the 1916 world series. 
That hit scored McNally from second base and enabled 
Boston to win the longest game ever played in a world 
series, 2 to i. 

Suppose Del had gone to bat and failed to notify the 
umpire he was batting in place of Larry Gardner. Such 
is not unusual. Suppose, after Gainer had made his 
base-hit and won the game, Manager Robinson of Brook- 
lyn, while the crowd was surging on the field, rushed up 
to the plate umpire and insisted that since Gainer had 
not announced himself as a substitute for Gardner, he 
was not the proper batsman and should be declared out. 
Can you imagine what a wild finish there would have 
been to that contest? It would have been worse than 
the day Merkle failed to touch second. 

Hardly a major league season passes without several 
substitutions being made in the field or at the bat without 
me being notified. I don't believe my experience is dif- 
ferent from any other official. One day a player was 
overcome by heat between innings. It happened while 
his club was at the bat. When the team went to the field, 
another player took his place in the outfield. The first I 
knew of a change was when the batter hit a terrific drive 
to the outfield on the first ball pitched. Looking in the 
direction of the ball I saw a strange figure giving chase. 



56 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

for the regular player was short and stocky, while the 
substitute was tall and rangy. I realized a change had 
been made without me being notified. The player made 
a brilliant catch of the fly. I then had the announcer 
make known the change. The manager of the team at the 
bat might have protested the catch was not legal, since 
the player had not made known his entry, hence really 
did not belong in the lineup. Had such a protest been 
made, I would have paid no attention to it, but would 
have declared the batsman out. 

In the play I have cited relative to the outfielder, it 
could be contended that since the player had not an- 
nounced his entry into the game to the umpire, that he 
was not in the game, hence the catch was illegal. In 
fact, the entire play could be argued illegal, because if 
that player was not in the game, it made only eight 
players in the field, which, of course, is contrary to rules, 
it being specified there must be nine. In the case of 
Gainer, it might be argued that since he did not make 
known his entry he was not in the game, hence an im- 
proper batsman. The rules governing such substitution, 
where the substitute neglects to notify the officials, are 
lax. 

The one section that tangles the situation, states that 
a player shall become actively engaged in the game the 
moment the captain gives notice of the change to the 
umpire. The contention is then made that unless a 
player so reports, he never becomes a regular in the 
lineup. A few rewritten sections would forever clear 
up this play which is constantly creating disputes. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 57 



Rules Don't Cover Freak Possibility 

It is possible to work out some wonderful freak plays 
on paper, yet in many cases more peculiar tangles take 
place on the ball field. Bill Brennan, former National 
and Federal League umpire, had an unusual one come 
under his observation in the early days of the Federal 
League. Brennan's ruling was the common sense inter- 
pretation. I believe it will be followed as a precedent, 
yet the rules do not clearly define what action should 
be taken. 

Until recently, when a manager wanted to make a 
quick change of pitchers and had no one warmed up, he 
had a system of jockeying that usually gave him the 
needed time. It delayed the game and displeased specta- 
tors. The manager would hurry the pitcher he intended 
to use to to the "bull-pen" to get warmed up. He would 
then notify the umpire such a player would pitch. The 
rules gave that twirler the right to throw five balls. The 
pitcher would usually consume more time than necessary 
in doing so. Then the manager would decide he wanted 
some other pitcher to work and would so announce to 
the umpire. The new pitcher would take advantage of 
his rights. Often a manager would send in as many as 
four or five relief pitchers, who would simply consume 
as much time as possible in throwing the five warm-up 
balls allowed. In the meantime the pitcher the manager 
really intended to use would be taking advantage of his 



58 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

manager's dilatory tactics by getting into the best shape 
possible. 

This feature was so overdone, the rule makers found 
it necessary to take some action that would eliminate the 
practice. A rule was incorporated which made it neces- 
sary for any pitcher sent in as a substitute to continue to 
pitch until the batsman at bat has been put out or has 
reached first base. That broke up the jockeying prac- 
tice and made managers more careful about having the 
proper pitcher ready to send in as relief twirler. Now 
for the freak happening that was put up to Umpir« 
Brennan for a ruling. 

The game was played at Brooklyn. In the first half 
of the ninth, the visitors filled the bases after two men 
were down. The Brooklyn pitcher was in distress, and if 
my memory serves me correctly Jim Bluejacket, the 
Indian, was sent in as relief pitcher. Before he had had 
a chance to throw a ball to the man at the plate Blue- 
jacket, by a snap throw to first base, managed to catch 
the runner at that base napping, retiring the side. Little 
was thought of the play at the time, but in the last half 
of the ninth it caused an argument. 

Brooklyn needed two runs to win. It happened that 
with runners on second and third, it was Bluejacket's 
turn to bat. Pitchers as a rule are not good hitters, so 
this seemed the logical place for Brooklyn to send in a 
pinch hitter. A benchwarmer was therefore sent to hit 
for Bluejacket. When said substitute made known his 
intention to Umpire Brennan, a lengthy argument ensued. 
The manager of the team in the field insisted Blue- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 59 

jacket had not done what the rules prescribed he should 
do — pitch to the man at the bat until he was retired or 
reached first. His snap throw to first had retired the 
side and eliminated that chance. The manager of the 
team in the field insisted that since Bluejacket had failed 
to do so, he must remain in the game; that the team 
It bat had no right to substitute a hitter for him. Bren- 
tian overruled the protest on the ground that the rule 
ivas not made to cover such a situation, but simply to 
prevent jockeying, and that in retiring the side the pitcher 
had fulfilled his mission. The batter sent in as pinch 
bitter singled, winning the game. 



6o SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Play That Always Starts An Argument 

Bill Carrigan is one of the brainiest fellows that ever 
handled a big league ball club. Not only is Carrigan a 
great leader of men, but he is a close student of the game. 
I don't believe Carrigan ever made a foolish kick in his 
life. Any time Bill sought a conference with the umpire, 
he invariably had a good reason. Bill never entered a 
protest on the theory that he was absolutely right, or 
that the official was absolutely wrong. He made his 
claims because in his mind there existed a doubt and he 
sought a reason for the ruling. 

During a game at Boston, in 191 6, a batting-out-of- 
order play almost cropped out among the visitors. The 
manager of the visiting team at the last moment decided 
to make a change in his batting order. He shifted the 
catcher who usually batted eighth to sixth, and dropped 
the infielder who had always batted sixth to eighth. 
His team had been in a slump, the catcher was hitting 
the ball, while the infielder for a couple of weeks had 
almost been helpless, so he figured moving the catcher 
up in the batting order might tend to make his hitting 
of more value. 

What nearly proved an unfortunate happening was 
the failure of the manager to notify the two players in- 
volved of the change. In the second inning after the 
fifth batter had singled with one out, the infielder who 
had always batted sixth, stepped to the plate, when the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 6i 

change called for the catcher to hit sixth. Evidently 
the players had the hit-and-run sign on, for the man 
on first dashed for second on the first pitch. The batter 
fouled the ball. The same play was tried on the next 
pitch. Again the batter fouled, making the count two 
strikes and no balls. In each instance the runner, of 
course, was forced to return to first base. 

At this juncture the visiting manager became aware of 
the mistake. He rushed to the plate, had the umpire 
show him the batting order and then called the proper 
batsman to the plate, the catcher. The rules provide the 
proper batsman can be substituted the moment the mis- 
take is discovered, and the balls and strikes called are 
counted on the proper batsman. The proper batsman 
then struck out on the next ball pitched, so that nothing 
came of what promised to be a tangled situation. 

Several players on the bench later informed me Bill 
had noticed the mistake the moment the improper bats- 
man stepped into the box, and was all set to dash out 
to the plate and enter his protest the moment the improp- 
er batsman was retired or reached first in safety. In either 
case, had the protest been immediately made, all acts 
made possible by the improper batsman would have been 
nullified and the proper batsman would have been de- 
clared out. It was the following day Carrigan brought 
up what might have been the unusual feature of the 
situation. 

"I am looking for a little information. Bill," is the 
way Carrigan greeted me. "Say, the improper batsman 
missed either of those two balls he swung at and fouled, 



62 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

and on one of them runner on first managed to steal 
second, would you have allowed the runner to remain on 
second ?" 

The point Carrigan was trying to make was apparent. 
The rule states no bases shall be run or runs scored 
because of any act of the improper batsman. This 
brought up the question as to whether the striking at and 
missing the ball by the improper batsman constituted an 
act. While I had never given the play any thought, never 
having had it come up, I told Carrigan I would allow 
the runner to remain at second. I would certainly 
have called him out, had he been thrown out, hence 
should call him safe if he beat the play. I could not 
figure where any act of the batter would have played 
any particular part in aiding the base-runner, hence I 
figured he was advancing at his peril. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 63 



A Freak Batting-Out-of-Order Play 

Batting-out-of-order plays are common among ama- 
teurs. Every now and then such situations come up in 
the majors. I have officiated in two big league games, 
in which players batting out of their order caused con- 
siderable confusion. 

I believe a game in Washington some years ago about 
wins the championship for freak happenings. I was 
umpire-in-chief, but can take no credit for what hap- 
pened. The situation that developed made every one con- 
nected with the game look rather foolish, myself in par- 
ticular. 

Branch Rickey, a bright base ball man, was managing 
the St. Louis club. Carrying out the rules of the game, 
Rickey, prior to the start, walked to the plate and gave 
me his batting order. It seems there had been some 
1 doubt in Manager Rickey's mind as to how he would bat 
Jimmy Austin and Bobby Wallace. The batting order 
he presented to me as the official one had Austin hitting 
sixth and Wallace eighth. It was the custom of Rickey 
to have his trainer keep a detailed score. In repeating 
his batting order to the trainer, Rickey had Wallace in 
sixth position and Austin eighth, shifting the two from 
the official order. That is the way the two players batted 
until the final inning. Had not Manager Rickey decided 
to use a substitute batter the mistake would probably 
have never been discovered. He so elected, the mixup 



64 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

was disclosed, and one of the most peculiar situations 
that has ever come up in a major league game was the 
result. 

After one man was retired Wallace came through with 
a clean hit. Catcher Agnew, seventh batter, was taken 
out and Clarence Walker was sent to hit in his place. 
When Walker reached the plate, he informed me that he 
was hitting lor Agnew, It was the first change either 
manager had made. I took out my batting order to verify 
it. Then I discovered Wallace had batted out of order 
all during the game, five times in all. Catcher Henry 
of the Washington club was standing at my side as I in- 
spected the batting order and he noticed the mistake. He 
asked for a ruling. 

It was an unusual occurrence. Wallace from the first 
inning had batted out of order, as had Austin. The St. 
Louis players had followed the batting order on the 
bench, which differed from that given me by Manager 
Rickey. The rule on this point is specific. It states that 
when a batter hits out of his proper position, and the mis- 
take is discovered before a ball is pitched to the succeed- 
ing batsman, the proper batsman should be called out. 

According to the official batting order Austin should 
have batted sixth. As Wallace had batted in that position 
when he hit safely in the ninth inning, I declared out 
the proper batsman, Austin. That made two out. 
Walker then batted for Agnew, as had been Rickey's 
intention. He went out retiring the side. Had Walker 
hit safely while batting for Agnew, Wallace would have 
come to bat again in the same inning. The fact that he 



I 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 65 

had once batted did not affect the situation, other than 
wasting his hit, since Austin, the proper batsman, was 
declared out. There are some who contend that as the 
two men had batted out of order five times prior to the 
discovery of the mistake such batting order should have 
been followed throughout. The rules, however, state that 
the batting order given the umpire is the official one, as 
there was no big league precedent for such a happening, I 
played it safe by sticking closely to the playing code. 



(£ SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Star Players Easy to Handle 

"Why is it that star players seldom make any trouble 
for the umpire?" That is a question that is asked me 
time and again. The lover of base ball watches care- 
fully every move of the game, and naturally he has ob- 
served that the real stars of the game rarely kick so 
strongly that it becomes necessary to put them out of the 
game. National League umpires tell me that Alexander 
and Mathewson never disputed a called ball or strike. 
No American League umpire can ever recall the time 
that Walter Johnson questioned a ruling. In fact, I have 
often heard him tell other members of his team that 
the umpire was right when the general opinion was that 
the official had erred in his ruling. 

It is the same in any other branch of the sport, the 
really great catchers, the crack infielders and the bril- 
liant outfielders, as a rule, accept the decisions of the 
umpires without any protest to speak of. Don't think for 
a minute that these players are of the same opinion as 
the umpire in all cases, positively no. They often believe 
the umpire has erred, in a good many cases they let the 
official know just what they think about the decision, 
but they invariably do it in such a way that any umpire 
with any common sense would have no reason for taking 
offense. I have often heard people say that Eddie Collins 
is not aggressive enough. They form this opinion because 
Collins is not being put out of the game every so often. 



1 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 67 

It is a fact that Eddie Collins is an aggressive player, 
but of a type that is not known to the public. Collins 
can protest as strongly as any player in the business. 
When he believes the umpire has erred he never fails to 
register his protest, but there is nothing of the grand 
stand variety in the protest. He does nothing by word 
or action that will cause the crowd to believe that the 
umpire has erred. For that reason Collins is always 
listened to, and given consideration when he enters a 
protest, for the umpires know it is the expression of an 
honest opinion. 

But to get back to the opening question, the real reason 
that star players seldom incur the displeasure of the 
umpire, is simply that they never find it necessary to seek 
an alibi in order to cover up either lack of ability, or 
failure to have properly completed a play. The real good 
ball player can always make good on natural ability, even 
if the umpire every now and then gets him into a hole 
because of a mistake. Umpires make mistakes, so do star 
ball players, both are human, and the star player, who 
has some brains, or he wouldn't be a star, is broad minded 
enough to take all things into consideration. 

The fellows who make the most trouble are the players 
who believe they are stars, yet fall considerably shy of 
that class. This phase of the question holds good in all 
branches of the sport, the majors, the minors, the semi- 
professionals and the amateurs. Another class of play- 
ers who make trouble for the big league umpire, is the 
bush leaguer fresh from the small time circuit. A good 
many of these fellows come up to the majors with the 



68 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

impression that in order to get in good with their man- 
ager they must argue with the umpire, and in all proba- 
bility get put out of the game. I can recall half dozen 
such cases of players now rated as stars. Just as soon 
as they got over the idea, that getting put out of the 
game a couple of times a week was the proper kind of 
aggressiveness, they never made any trouble for the offi- 
cials. 

Major league leaders like aggressive players. The 
minor leaguer who can show pepper and aggressiveness 
of the right sort, has a much better chance as a rule than 
the player who accepts every ruling without a word. A 
player adds no strength to a team when he is chased to 
the club house, or has to sit out a suspension in the grand 
stand. The day of that style of aggressiveness is past. 
It is costly to the owner, club and patrons, for often they 
are deprived of seeing the player who attracted them to 
the park. The modern manager wants the player who 
can be aggressive, yet do it in a way that escapes the 
wrath of the umpire. 

Johnny Evers is one of the few really great players 
who is in constant hot water with the umpires. Evers 
has just one thing strongly in his favor in this respect — • 
his kicks are actually from the heart, not actuated by a 
desire to alibi. Evers is one of the greatest players of 
all times, reputed to be one of the brainiest infielders 
in the history of the game. I have never met Evers 
personally. I am told that he is a mild mannered indi- 
vidual off the field, but on the ball field he is a raging 
torrent when all the breaks, as well as the umpire's 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 69 

rulings, appear to be going the wrong way. Evers' kick- 
ing has had one good feature, it is not the aUbi sort; 
simply the nature of the man when in the heat of battle. 

Of the modern ball players Johnny Evers and Eddie 
Collins stand out prominently. They are credited with 
being the two greatest second basemen in the game. 
Arguments galore have been caused by discussion of 
the relative merits of the two stars. There is little to 
choose between the fielding. Collins is the better batsman, 
and on the bases also shows to advantage. Both have 
far more than, the average amount of gray matter, and 
clubs on which they play invariably look up to them to 
direct the play. Evers made a great team out of the 
Boston Braves, in fact played a big part in turning a 
second division club into a pennant winner and a world 
champion. Eddie Collins put an awful crack in the Ath- 
letics when Mack sold him to Chicago. He proved just 
the man needed to round out Comiskey's club, and make 
it a strong contender. 

In most respects these two star players are similar 
and practically equal, yet in one respect they are entirely 
different in their attitude toward the umpire. Evers is 
aggressive; so is Collins, although a great many fans 
do not regard him as that type of player. Evers, with 
his fiery temper, can protest only in a way that aggravates 
the official and results in his ejection. Collins can regis- 
ter an equally strong protest, yet do it in such a way 
that he gets consideration rather than hasty ejection. In 
all his career Collins has never been put out of a ball 
ground, while Johnny has been given the gate in so 



70 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

many contests that he has probably quit keeping track of 
his banishment a long time ago. In a good many cases, 
trouble with the officials means a three-day suspension, 
often a much longer time. It is almost impossible to com- 
pute the great value of such wonderful players as Evers 
and Collins to a team in the fight for the pennant. They 
are almost absolutely essential. 

In that one feature of play Collins has a decided and 
distinct advantage over Evers. He is always in the game, 
giving his club his very best efforts. Evers does the 
same when in the game, but Johnny is often playing the 
role of spectator, because of his failure to see things as 
the judge of play did. Taking Collins and Evers from 
the game is just like taking the leading man from a play, 
in which much of its success depends on the acting of the 
star. Unquestionably the Boston club dropped many a 
game which would have been won had Evers been in the 
lineup. 

Collins comes from the school of Connie Mack. Mack's 
theory is that no club in the history of the game won a 
pennant by fighting the umpires. He insists that clubs 
that spend their energy in fighting the opposition invari- 
ably gets much better results. Mack figures that any 
time a star player gets put out of the game, he does not 
only himself an injustice but also his team mates, the 
club owner, his league, and the patrons, many of whom 
perhaps came out to see him play. The great success 
Mack has had during his long career makes it appear 
that he employs the proper methods. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 71 



The Umpire, Base Ball's Greatest Alibi 

Base ball is largely a game of alibis. The player can 
always offer an alibi when things do not break his way. 
The umpire stands out as the greatest of all alibis for the 
ball player and the fan. The umpire is not infallible, he 
makes mistakes, but not nearly as many as fan and player 
would have you believe. Often the umpire renders a per- 
fectly correct decision that changes the result of the 
game, yet for so rendering the proper decision he is often 
mobbed and compelled to suffer any number of other in- 
dignities at the hands of the fans, who insist he has 
robbed their team out of the game. 

The umpire is one of the most important cogs in the 
base ball machine, provided he is moving smoothly. Yet 
most base ball fans regard the umpire as a necessary evil. 
Lovers of base ball seldom inquire who will umpire the 
game. They don't go to the park to see the umpire per- 
form, as they do to see any of the great stars pitch. 
The umpire will never be a drawing card like Tyrus 
Cobb, Hans Wagner, Napoleon Lajoie, Tris Speaker, or 
any of the other celebrities of the diamond. As a matter 
of fact, the only time the umpire is given the slightest 
consideration by fan or player is when he renders a deci- 
sion that fails to meet with their approval. Usually the 
consideration is of a very uncomplimentary nature. If 
the time ever comes that the fan and player believe the 
umpire is infallible (the time will never come), then 



72 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

base ball will lose one of its strongest points, the blaming 
of the umpire for every defeat. It is surprising what 
pleasure it gives a lot of people to leave the ball park, 
positive that had the umpire rendered the proper ruling 
on the play at the plate, at second, third or first, the game 
would have been won instead of lost. The umpire gives 
them an alibi. 

Just so long as the umpire shows up for the game every 
day and performs his duties in a capable manner, his 
presence is almost unnoticed. There is never any ap- 
plause for him, as is the player's portion when he pulls 
a great play. There is never any encouragement from 
the crowd, for the umpire is always in hostile territory. 
He is the common enemy of the base ball fan at large. It 
would seem then, from the consideration usually meted 
out to the umpire, that he played a very minor role in 
the game of base ball. When then is the importance of 
an umpire realized ? To illustrate this point, I am going 
to relate a situation which a veteran umpire created, 
simply to prove that after all the umpire is a very essen- 
tial factor. I will quote the umpire as closely as possible. 

"It is the deciding game of the world series, each team 
has won three games. Forty thousand people are packed 
into the park to see one of the most important games 
in the history of base ball, a contest which would decide 
the winner of base ball's classic. To each player alone 
the winning of the game meant a difference of at least 
$1,500. The player of a losing team in the world series 
is certain of $2,000 for his share, yet the umpire on 
whose decisions the outcome of the series hinges gets only 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 73 

half that amount. A dispute arises just before the final 
game, the umpires have a grievance that cannot be ad- 
justed, and they refuse to officiate. There is a delay in 
starting the game. It is impossible to get satisfactory 
umpires. The game must be played, so there is nothing 
to do but to agree on two players. When the fans see 
that two players, not versed in the art of umpiring, are 
going to officiate, they let out a mighty shout of disap- 
proval. They want so important a game in charge of 
umpires having a reputation for being impartial and com- 
petent. Close decision after close decision comes up 
early in the game, and the player umpires are in constant 
trouble. Before the contest is completed the affair has 
developed into more or less of a farce. A goodly portion , 
of the crowd has left the park disgusted. At such a time 
as that," concludes the veteran umpire, *'the importance 
of the umpire would be made evident to the fans." 

There are infielders in base ball who never fail to 
touch the base-runner if you take their word for it. 
There is never a play but what the base-runner is out. 
On the other hand, there are any number of base-runners 
who are never touched with the ball if you take their 
word for it. When they attempt to steal a base or take 
two bases on a hit, they always manage to elude the in- 
fielder, if you would believe them. With two such classes, 
it is easy to see that the umpire must of necessity find 
himself in trouble when he renders a decision, for each 
decision must be against one of the parties concerned. 
After such a play the base-runner,, if he is declared out, 
goes back to the bench and tells his team mates what a 



^4 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

blind man the umpire is, and usually shows just how 
far he was missed. If the runner is declared safe, the 
infielder lets the world know that he had him by a yard. 
No matter how the verdict is rendered, someone is sur6 
to alibi himself at the expense of the umpire. 

Every fan has attended a game in which the pitcher 
by some show of disapproval would let it be known that 
he didn't regard the eyesight of the umpire as perfect. 
The catcher can in various ways, make it apparent to the 
crowd that he is not concurring with every decision on 
balls and strikes. Nine times out of ten the umpire has 
properly called the pitches. In a pinch the pitcher is 
looking for everything. To many of the twirlers balls 
that are from three to six inches outside or inside, are 
right through the middle. If his control is bad, there is 
nothing in the world easier for him to do, than to alibi 
himself at the expense of the umpire. There are many 
things he can do, that just escapes ejection from the 
game, yet are of such a nature that the base ball fan is 
soon wise that he is not agreeing with the umpire on 
balls and strikes. The next day the umpire often dis- 
covers that his bad eyesight was responsible for the 
pitcher's poor control and the loss of the game. 

There is one situation in base ball that invariably gets 
the umpire in trouble, unless the pitch is an extremely 
wide one, or the batter relieves the situation by taking 
a swing. Imagine the bases filled, two out and three 
balls and two strikes on the batter. Have it the ninth 
inning if you want to have the situation all the more 
intense, and the score a tie. On the calling of the next 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 75 

ball really depends the game. If it is a ball, it means 
the game for the home team; if it is a strike, the score 
remains a tie, and the visiting club has a chance to win 
out in extra innings. To the home fan a ball merely a 
few inches inside or outside, high or low, looks like a 
strike, if the visiting team is at the bat. If the home 
team is at the bat, pitches that are just good enough to 
be called strikes by the umpire are regarded as balls by 
the fans. Any time the umpire calls the batter out on 
such a pitch, with the situation I have described above 
existing, he is bound to find himself in trouble. Even 
if the ball is right through the middle, the batter who has 
struck out in a pinch, will invariably alibi himself at the 
expense of the umpire by declaring that it was a foot 
outside. In such situations there are some pitchers who 
never throw anything but strikes, if you would take 
their word for it. On the other hand, there are many 
batters who insist that at such times it is impossible for 
the pitcher to throw other than a ball. 

Often when the umpire appears to be most seriously 
at fault, he is absolutely correct. Such plays are when 
the ball easily beats the runner to the base, but the fielder 
fails to touch him. Nearly every base-runner of any 
merit in the game at present has developed the fallaway 
slide to such a degree that touching the runner is ex- 
tremely difficult, unless the infielder is equally clever in 
handling the ball. A runner like Ty Cobb, the Detroit 
star, gives the infielder little more than the spikes on his 
shoes to touch as he slides into a base. In plays where 
it is up to the fielder to touch the runner to complete 



76 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

the out, the average base ball fan watches the ball. If 
the ball reaches the base ahead of the runner, he nat- 
urally presumes that the runner is out. Under ordinary 
conditions the runner should be an easy out, with the 
fielder waiting with the ball, yet time after time the run- 
ner eludes the touch through the fallaway slide, though 
the ball often beats him a yard or more to the base. Such 
plays invariably get the umpire in trouble, for the runner 
is positive that he wasn't touched, while the fielder is 
equally certain he put the ball all over him. 

The umpire is unquestionably the greatest alibi in base 
ball. When he steps on the field he has eighteen active 
players, a swarm of substitutes from both sides, two 
wise managers and a hostile crowd arrayed against him. 
When mistakes are made the easiest way is to try to place 
the blame on the umpire. In the future please don't 
blame the umpire every time you see a player kick, for 
he isn't always wrong, as some people would have you 
believe. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY yj 



Home Run Rule Needs Revision 

Does the rule regulating the hitting of a home run need 
revision ? It is my opinion it does. I regard the present 
rule a bad one. It is almost obsolete, hence should be 
changed entirely. The fan construes the home run to 
mean a mighty drive. In nine cases out of ten it does 
require some wallop to enable the batsman to make the 
circuit, yet the provisions for the making of a home run 
are fairly easy. 

The playing code states that any fair batted ball that 
passes into the stands or goes over the fence shall entitle 
the batsman to a home run, providing the distance to 
fence or stand be not less than 236 feet from the home 
plate. Any one v^^ho ever has seen a game at the Phila- 
delphia National League park, the Chicago National 
field, or the Polo Grounds, knows it doesn't take much 
of a drive to go for a home run. In Philadelphia and 
Chicago a high screen on top of the fence makes the hit 
more difficult. In New York such a thing is impossible 
because that part of the right field boundary is part of 
the grand stand. 

On all these fields, the Polo Grounds in particular, 
many a high fly drops into the right field stand for a 
home run which would be the easiest kind of an out on 
most other major league parks. The left field bleachers 
on the Polo Grounds is also none too deep. All these 
boundary lines are the regulation distance or more from 



78 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

the plate, yet many a fluke home run is made as a resul 
of the rule. 

At most of the parks all the fields are much deepeiit 
than the regulation distance. Fast outfielders who car l 
cover a world of ground are of little use on a small field I 
hence the distance from the plate to the fence in various i 
fields is made much greater than regulation. In Phik' 
delphia and Chicago lack of space has prevented a larger! 
right field, and in each instance a street abuts against t 
the right field wall. In New York an effort to provide! 
plenty of seating capacity cut down the space. I under-! 
stand there is a suggestion to change the distance from 
235 to 290 feet from the home plate before the rules 
committee. I understand it is receiving serious considera- 
tion. I believe the distance should be not less than 300 
feet. Then a drive that cleared the fence or went into 
the stands would be well worthy being recorded a home 
run. 

There is another clause in the rule that relates to balls 
batted outside the grounds that never strongly appealed 
to me. The opening clause in Rule 48 states that on a 
batted ball which passes outside the grounds or into a 
stand, the umpire shall decide it fair or foul according to 
where it disappears from the umpire's view. That means 
that the umpire must constantly watch that ball, and if 
the last glance he gets at it the ball is in foul territory, 
the drive is rendered void no matter how far it was when 
it actually passed over the fence. 

I have always believed that when the ball passed over 
the fence, and out of playing territory, jurisdiction over it 



n 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 79 

should cease. It seems a player able to hit a ball outside 
of playing territory, which in most cases means a long 
drive, should receive credit for it, if the ball, when it 
passed over the fence or into the stands, was fair. I 
recall a ball that Frank Baker hit over the right field wall 
at Washington, which seemed at least thirty feet fair 
when it passed over the wall, and was a mile high, yet was 
foul by inches when it last disappeared from the um- 
pire's view. 



^ 



SHOWING POSITION OF FIELD UMPIRE WITH RUNNERS ON 
FIRST AND SECOND 
With a runner on first, first and second, or first, second and third, and the 
infield playing out, a good position for the umpire is about forty feet back 
of the pitcher and five or six feet to his left. Such a position gives you a 
chance to shift in the direction where the play may be made. With a 
left handed pitcher working and a left handed batter up such a position 
often gets you on a direct line with the batter and obscures his vision. If 
the batter requests you, as is often the case, simply move about six feet to 
the right of the pitcher in the direction of third. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 8i 



Legality of This Run is Questioned 

A play came up in the American League some years 
ago which involves a question that is a constant source 
of trouble to ball players, from the amateurs to the 
majors, and to catchers in particular. 

There is one man out and a runner on second, when 
the batter singles sharply to left field. The runner on 
second, away to a good start, rounded third and headed 
for the plate. The left fielder made an excellent throw 
home. The runner slid so wide of the catcher to avoid 
being touched that he also missed the plate. The batter 
had gone to second on the throw-in. The catcher, while 
realizing he had missed the runner, was also pretty cer- 
tain the runner had missed the plate. Both regained 
their feet about the same time. Immediately the catcher 
started after the runner, and. the runner realizing he 
had no chance to get back to the plate without being 
touched started for the bench. It took the catcher some 
ten or fifteen steps before he put the ball on the runner. 
In the meantime the batter who had arrived safely at 
second, taking in the situation, headed for third, and 
made that base. 

When a player misses first, second or third base there 
is never any question about how to proceed. Some 
player instantly gets the ball, and with it in his posses- 
sion touches the base that has been missed and claims 
the out. The fact that the home plate is the final goal 



S2 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

is perhaps what confuses all plays at that station. Often 
a player in sHding into the home plate, misses it, and also 
is not touched. If such player can scramble back to the 
plate and reach it before he is touched with the ball he 
has a right to do so. A play in which the catcher at- 
tempts to touch the runner, and then has the runner race 
to the bench or to any portion of the field, puts a dif- 
ferent complexion on the matter. In such cases all the 
catcher need do is touch the plate with the ball in his 
possession. 

Failure to touch the plate by the runner can create 
all kinds of trouble. In an important game in which I 
was umpiring balls and strikes, the home team scored the 
winning run in the ninth with two down, the batter hit- 
ting safely, scoring the runner who was on second. The 
hit was of such a nature that the runner from second 
beat the play by at least ten feet. The throw was a 
trifle short and the catcher was probably six feet in front 
of the plate receiving it, when the runner crossed the 
plate. He was in such a position that it was impossible 
for him to give the runner any attention. 

One often wonders why many things happen on the 
ball field. That player never did touch home plate, al- 
though he was not hurried. His last stride carried him 
over the plate at least six inches. Knowing that run 
decided the game, the visiting team rushed off the field, 
as did the catcher, who was in no position to see the 
runner had failed to touch the plate. I managed to get 
oflF the field as hurriedly as the rest, for I wasn't looking 
for trouble. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 83 

I had hardly reached my dressing room before three 
or four newspaper men came to inquire about the play. 
From their position in the press box they could see the 
player had failed to touch the plate. The newspaper 
men raised the contention that since a runner must touch 
each base and then the home plate to score a run, that 
the run was never legally registered. They also raised 
the question as to the attitude the umpire should assume 
on such plays. Plays in which a runner fails to touch a 
base are plays which require that a complaint be regis- 
tered by the side affected, and that otherwise the umpire 
shall disregard the error. On such plays if the umpire 
stood at the plate, after the team had left, he would 
reveal that something was wrong and instead of being 
merely a judge of plays, would be acting as adviser to one 
of the teams. 



84 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Correct Ruling That Was Nearly Fatal! 

During my career as an umpire I have probably made 
many decisions which might be regarded as cause for 
fandom to say unkind things about me, and be the excuse 
for things coming my way that I didn't ask for. On the 
other hand, a perfectly correct decision that was in favor 
of the home club almost proved my undoing. So many 
fans have that incident confused that I will relate it, 
because in many ways it was a most unusual happening. 
The game was played in the fall of 1907 at St. Louis. 
Detroit was the opposing club and an overflow crowd was 
in attendance. In those days the double umpire system 
was not in vogue. 

Because of the overflow crowd a hit into the crowd had 
been agreed on as good for two bases. There was a 
swinging gate about six feet long out in the left field 
fence, about ten feet above the ground, about which I 
knew nothing. It was used to facilitate the delivery of 
bottled goods into the park. 

On the day in question it was extremely hot. Some- 
one in the overflow crowd had discovered the gate, and 
by opening it found it provided a light breeze. Up to 
the fifth inning Detroit led by a run. In that inning 
Harry Howell, who was pitching for St. Louis, hit a 
ball into left field. As I followed its course I was sur- 
prised to see the opening in the fence. A few minutes 
before I had observed nothing wrong. I afterwards 



I 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 85 

learned the gate had been opened only a few seconds 
before Howell hit the ball. 

It was my bad luck to have the ball pass squarely 
through the opening. When Howell made the hit I had 
run toward third base to follow the ball more closely. 
When it passed through the opening I was about fifteen 
feet back of third base. Howell paused at second base 
and I motioned for him to continue home, with the run 
that tied up the game. When the St. Louis fans saw I 
had allowed Howell a home run instead of a two-base-hit 
they went wild with delight. As he trotted from second 
to the plate unmolested he was given a great ovation. 

The Detroit team set up the claim the hit was good 
for only two bases — a foolish contention. I was sur- 
rounded by Tiger players, all talking at the same time. 
There is no fairer man in base ball than Hughey Jen- 
nings, the famous leader of the Detroit team, and I told 
that gentleman the easiest way to settle the argu- 
ment was to get rid of the players, and the two of us 
would thrash it out, which he proceeded to do. 

''A hit into the crowd is only good for two bases," 
said Hughey. 

''Right you are," I replied, *'but this hit didn't go into 
the crowd. It went over the crowd and out of the 
grounds." 

"But the gate should have been closed," argued Jen- 
nings. 

"It wasn't," I replied, "the blame for which I will 
take. When a ball goes out of playing territory, how 
IS it regarded?" I asked. 



86 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

"A home run, of course," answered Jennings. 

In the meantime pop bottles were being thrown from 
all directions, but few had the force to carry close 
enough to do any harm. 

"Then the argument is settled," I stated. "Let us 
continue the game. If we don't get away from here 
some one will be getting killed." 

The next thing I remember was when I came to in the 
hospital and inquired what happened. After the nurse 
had told me in a few words all she was allowed to say 
about the case she switched the conversation by asking 
me who "Kid-So-and-So" was. I told her he was a well- 
known player. 

"You are not very fond of him?" she asked. When I 
agreed that I was not very fond of him she told me that 
I had put him out of the game only four times in the 
past half hour. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 87 



The Base-Runner and His Rights 

Can a base-runner steal a base and then steal back 
to the base originally held by him? 

That possibility was brought up by the comedian of 
the ball field, Herman Schaefer, who, aside from being 
a wit, has a lot of gray matter. Players have been 
known to run within a foot or so of a base with a ho|>e 
of drawing a throw, and, failing to do so, rush back 
to their original base. There is nothing wrong with 
such a play. It is all right according to the rules. It 
i*emained for Schaefer to create such a situation in a 
different way under peculiar conditions. 

The game was played at Washington, with the Chicago 
White Sox as the opposing team. Late in the game 
Milan was on third, Schaefer on first, two men out and 
an ordinary batter up. Schaefer, hoping to draw a throw 
that might enable Milan to make a dash for the plate, 
essayed a steal of second. The catcher made a fake 
throw to second and then snapped the ball to third, almost 
getting Milan. 

The play had failed to work out as Schaefer had 
intended. After the pitcher had delivered a ball to the 
batter, Schaefer created all kinds of commotion by dash- 
ing back to first base from second. In a moment the 
Chicago club was up in the air. The ball was thrown to 
second base and held by the fielder on that bag. The 
umpire made no decision. The ball was then thrown to 
the first baseman. At that moment Schaefer started for 



88 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

second. The first baseman started to chase Schaefer, 
when Milan, who had been sneaking up, made a dash 
for the plate. The fielder threw to the plate, and Milan 
was declared out on a close play. The fact that Milan 
was retired saved the umpires a lot of argument. 

The moment Schaefer touched second base on his 
steal he became the occupant of the bag. First base no 
longer offered him any protection. 

It would have been possible for him to have been 
touched out while standing on that base. The moment 
he touched second base he became the occupant of that 
bag, it causing him immediately to forfeit his rights to 
first base. The main point centers around the right of a 
base-runner to run bases contrary to the rules. There 
are those who contend that the moment the runner 
started back to first, after having become the occupant 
of second, he should be declared out for running out of 
line. There is difference of opinion on that point. Oth- 
ers contend he should not be ruled out until he comes 
back and touches first. 

Then there are others who contend a base-runner 
has the right to take any chances he sees fit. That if he 
cares to jeopardize himself by running from second to 
first, there is nothing to stop him, and that to retire 
him, the team in the field must make a play on him and 
touch him between the bases or while he is standing on 
first base. The play has many peculiar features. I have 
heard it discussed many times by leading authorities, and 
I have yet to get a unanimous verdict on the situations 
that can arise, because the base-runner decided to pull a 
freak stunt. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 89 



The Majors Differ On This Play 

Prior to every city or world series a meeting is called 
o discuss differences in rules. Though the playing code 
s supposed to be the last word governing all base ball 
situations, it is a well known fact that the two major 
leagues lack uniformity on a half dozen or more possi- 
)ilities that can arise on the ball field. 

At one of the meetings I brought up a play on which 
:he two leagues differ, which, on the face, appears like a 
:rivial happening, yet has many possibilities. We know 
;hat with runners on first and second, or first, second 
md third and less than one out, the base-runner is pro- 
tected by the infield fly rule. The situation I brought up 
related to a runner being on first base, less than two out, 
and the batter sends up a little fly to one of the infielders. 
Now if the infield fly rule applied to this situation, a 
runner on first and none or one out, the chance for any 
^rgument would have been ended for all time. Rather 
unfortunately, I think, the infield fly fails to cover the 
situation. 

The purpose of the infield fly was to afford the base- 
runner protection. Before the adoption of the rule many 
double plays were made by the intentional dropping of 
the ball by the infielder, such action offering him a force 
)lay. The runner, realizing he would be an easy victim 
lor a double play if he took any lead, providing the ball 
was caught, was forced to stick closely to his base. It 



90 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

was evident the infielder had an unfair advantage. The 
infield fly rule retiring the batter, whether the ball was 
caught or not, was the result. It was a good rule. 

The rule makers failed to incorporate in the section 
that the batter was out, with a runner on first only, be- 
cause they knew there was no chance for a double play, 
provided the batter ran out his hit, and it is a generally 
accepted theory that one thing a player should do is run 
out every hit. Hence the rule makers figured the runner 
on first needed no protection other than the running out 
of a hit by the batter. If there is a loophole in any part 
of the playing code some wise player is sure to discover 
it and immediately everyone is trying to take advantage 
of it. It is always desirable to get a fast man off the 
bases, and by taking advantage of the above play it is 
possible to make the substitution of a slow runner for the 
speed merchant. I will illustrate. 

One man is out, Max Carey of Pittsburgh up, he 
singles sharply to the outfield, reaching first in safety. 
We will presume the next man in the Pirate lineup is a 
much slower runner. The next batter hits a high fly 
to the second baseman. Carey dares not take any lead 
for fear of being doubled up; as a matter of fact, he 
holds his base. The second baseman gets the ball 
squarely in his hands, then pulls them apart. The man 
who hit the ball is almost to first when the fielder makes 
the miss. The second baseman picks up the ball and 
tosses to the shortstop, who touches second base. The 
umpire declares Carey out. He is forced at second. By 
his intentional dropping of the ball, after having prac- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 91 

tically made the catch, the fielder forces the fast man 
at socond, and leaves the slow runner on first base. That 
play is regarded as perfectly proper in the National 
League and is made often during the season. In the 
American League if the infielder will take a chance on 
trapping the ball, that is, allowing the ball to strike the 
ground first, the play is allowed. However, if he gets 
the ball squarely in his hands, and then in a manner 
that is apparent to any spectator at the game, pulls his 
hands apart and allows the ball to strike the ground, the 
batter, under the American League code, is called out, 
on the theory that the ball has been held long enough 
by the fielder to complete the catch and out. I have 
discussed this point with a great many National League 
managers, and all seem to like the American League 
ruling, yet the two leagues continue to differ, even in the 
world series. A definite rule explicitly covering the play 
would do away with all such arguments. 



92 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Balk Rule is a Trouble Maker 

The balk rule, perhaps least understood of all the 
rules by fandom, is one of the most important sections 
of the playing code. During the winter I have heard 
the constant cry from managers and authorities for a 
stricter interpretation of the balk rule. I favor that. I 
have always been a strict disciplinarian on the enforce- 
ment of the balk rule, as I am sure many American 
League pitchers will testify. 

On the face it may not seem that the balk rule and 
base-running have anything in common. As a matter 
of fact no two features of the national pastime are so 
closely related. During the past four or five years base- 
running, one of the game's prettiest features, has been 
on the decline. I feel safe in saying the deceptive moves 
practised by many pitchers has more seriously affected 
base-running than any other thing. 

The successful base-runner must be able to get away 
to a good lead. A foot or two on the getaway means 
everything when many decisions are based on a matter 
of a few inches. Ability to get the break by getting 
away with the start of the delivery is a wonderful ad- 
vantage. It is usually the difference between out and 
safe. The brainy base-runner is the player who studies 
the delivery of the pitcher closely and is usually able to 
decide when the pitcher is going through with his delivery 
or when he is going to throw to first. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 93 

Of late years pitchers have so tried to circumvent the 
balk rule that every trick of the trade has been brought 
into play to deceive the base-runner, yet pass the muster 
of the umpire. Many pitchers have developed moves 
to first that so closely resemble their pitching delivery 
that the runner is almost at sea trying to pick the proper 
spot to start his steal. Of course this is all wrong. The 
pitcher's style of delivery and move to first must differ. 
Some do, but it would be almost necessary to get a 
strong microscope to note the exact difference. 

Usually the left-handers give more trouble on the balk 
rule than right-handers. While the major league um- 
pires may be lax, the minors are even more so, and it is 
a caution the moves some of the recruits bring up to the 
majors. A left-handed pitcher joined an American 
League club one year who had a movement that was 
fatal to a base-runner if he took a lead of more than two 
or three steps. It is unfortunate for such recruits, be^ 
cause it makes them start a new style and often retards 
their natural ability. If all managers would just get 
over praising moves that are balks nine times out of ten 
pitchers would not be so fussy and base-running would 
be increased. It is possible to develop a good move that 
will hold runners on closely but won't catch many nap- 
ping. Such moves are praiseworthy, but most pitchers 
are not content with that ; they want to catch them off. 



94 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Three Similar Plays— Different Rulings 

Here are three plays that puzzle. I am often asked 
to give an explanation of the difference that exists from 
the penalty standpoint. In appearance each play is the 
same, yet three dif^ferent rulings are possible. 

Play No. I. — A runner is on first and he tries 
to steal second. He succeeds, but the batter jostles 
the catcher as he is about to make the throw. In 
this play the batter is called out for interference, 
while the runner is sent back to first, since no 
bases can be run on such an interference. 

Play No. 2. — ^A runner is on third, one man is 
out, the runner attempts to steal home. It is evi- 
dent the play is going to be close. The batter 
decides to pull a bit of wise stuff and interferes 
with the catcher so that he is unable to put the ball 
on the runner before he reaches the plate. The 
interference was similar to that in Play No. i. In 
this play the penalty is shifted from the batsman 
to the runner, for the runner is declared out and 
the batsman allowed to continue his time at bat. 

Play No. 3. — A runner is on third, two are out, 
the runner on third attempts to steal home. The 
batsman creates an interference similar to Plays 
I and 2. He so hinders the catcher that he is 
unable to touch the runner. In this case, the pen- 
alty is placed on the batsman, he being declared 
out for interference. 

While in some respects these plays are very definite, 
and are specifically covered in a roundabout way, I seri- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 95 

ously doubt if any series of plays, in which the action is 
similar, creates more confusion. Other than simply 
quoting the rules which cover the plays, I shall attempt 
to explain why the rule makers have shifted the penalty 
in these three plays. 

In Play No. i, it is the batsman who has grievously 
erred. His interference has killed any chance the catcher 
might have had of getting the runner. It is obvious he 
should suffer the penalty by being called out. Since it 
would be unfair to allow the runner to advance on a 
play in which the fielder making the play had been inter- 
fered with, the runner is sent back to his original base. 

In the second case, there being one out at the time, 
the runner on third attempts a steal of home. A similar 
interference enables the runner to score. A good many 
people figure the penalty should be to send the runner 
back to third and declare out the batsman. Such a 
penalty would enable a wise batter to nullify the play 
any time he believed the runner was sure to be retired. 
To do away with such methods the rule makers, with 
one or none out, have made the penalty all the more 
severe by ruling the runner out. 

With two men down, a similar interference results 
in the batter being called out. You ask why not con- 
tinue the ruling as in Play No. 2 and still call the runner 
out. With two down and such a play, some one must 
be called out for the interference. Since no run can 
score, regardless of who is called out, the penalty is 
shifted back on the batter. It has been the purpose of 
the rule makers in inflicting the penalty to make it as 
severe as possible in each case. 



SHOWING POSITION OF FIELD UMPIRE WITH NO ONE 
ON BASES 
With no one on bases, a good position for the umpire to stand is about 
fifteen feet back of first and about three feet in foul territory. On balls 
hit to the second baseman he need not change his position, for he is in an 
excellent place to see whether or not the ball is dropped or juggled. On 
balls hit to the shortstop or third baseman, it is best to move up about five 
or six feet in front of first base, that is toward the plate and about two or 
three feet in foul territory. This enables the umpire to always have the 
ball in sight and the play in front of him. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 97 



Knotty Problems 

For the past several years Spalding's Official Base Ball 
Guide has made a specialty of printing some of the ques- 
tions that the editor had received by mail during the 
season. These had been collected and answered and 
published in Spalding's Athletic Library No. 231, but 
will be hereafter incorporated instead in Mr. Evans' 
book. In addition, Mr. Evans has contributed a number 
of problems that have been submitted to him (which are 
printed in larger type than those from the Guide). — Pub- 
lishers. 

Knotty Problems Relative to Batting 

On stepping out of the batter's box. 

How strictly do major league umpires enforce the rule 
that the batsman shall not step out of the box while in 
the act of hitting the ball? I refer to Rule 50, which 
states that an illegally batted ball is a ball batted by the 
batsman when either or both of his feet are upon the 
ground outside the lines of the batsman's position. For 
this offense, as I understand it, the batsman should be 
declared out. 

Major league umpires do not enforce the rule to the 
letter. I have studied the batting positions closely and 
know that nine out of every ten batters have one foot 
or part of it outside of the lines when they connect with 
the ball. The batter's stride invariably drives him over 
the boundary lines. When it is merely a matter of 
inches it is overlooked. When the batter advances so 



98 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

far out of position that both feet overstep the limit, he 
is always declared out. In the first case, the force of 
the swing is the reason ; in the second case, it is invari- 
ably done to gain an undue advantage. 

Ball seems to be fair but is foul. 

Batter hits ball back at the pitcher. It is a low liner 
that strikes the pitcher's rubber and rebounds back over 
the foul line midway between home and the plate, rolling 
into the players' bench. Runners were on second and 
third at the time and both scored, while the batsman 
went to second. Was that the proper ruling? 

Strange as it may seem to sorne, the drive whicli re- 
bounded off the rubber and into the players' bench was 
nothing more than an ordinary foul. The runners should 
have been sent back to their respective bases and the 
batter made to hit over. The definition of a fair hit ball 
says it must settle in fair territory between home and 
first, or home and third, or that is on fair ground when 
bounding to the outfield past first or third base. This 
particular ball settled on foul territory after bounding 
over the foul line and out of fair territory midway 
between home and first base. 

Infield fly that strikes a runner. 

Runners are on first and second, one out, when the 
batter hits a high fly to the infield. The umpire ruled 
it an infield fly, which retired the batsman. A high wind 
was blowing, making it difficult to judge fly balls. In 
its descent the ball hit the base-runner, who was standing 
on second base. The umpire ruled him out for being 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 99 

hit by a batted ball, which retired the side. Were the 
two rulings on the same hit correct? 

The umpire in rendering two such rulings brought 
about conflicting situations. If he desired to call the 
batter out on the infield fly, he was perfectly within his 
rights. On such a play the base-runner, in order to 
avoid being doubled up, had a right to hold his base. 
If the umpire was of the opinion that the base-runner hit 
by the batted ball should be declared out, then he should 
not have enforced the infield fly rule, for when a base- 
runner is declared out for being hit by a batted ball, the 
batsman is entitled to first base. The umpire could have 
advanced a good reason for declaring either of the two 
out, but had no right to declare both out on the play. 

Once again the catcher interferes. 

With the bases filled and two out, the batsman swings 
hard and sends up a pop foul fly to the third baseman 
for what appeared to be the third out. It so happened 
that the catcher tipped the bat of the batsman as he was 
about to hit the ball. What is the proper ruling on 
such a play? 

Despite the fact that the batsman's effort was merely 
a foul fly that was caught did not change the situation. 
Since the catcher tipped the batter's bat, he created an 
interference, and such an act permits the batter to go 
to first, and allows all others to advance when forced. 
Since the bases were filled at the time, the runner on 
third scored and the other two runners moved up a 
base on a foul fly that was caught. 



100 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

The batsman and a base on balls. 

In the last half of the ninth, with two men out, and 
the score one to nothing against the home team, the 
batter hits for three bases. With the count three to 
two on the next batter, the pitcher uncorks a wild pitch 
for the fourth ball, which gets away from the catcher. 
The runner on third scores easily, while the batter scam- 
pered to first on four balls. In going from the plate to 
second, he failed to touch first in rounding that bag. The 
first baseman noticed the error, called for the ball and 
touched the bag. The umpire ruled the batter out, retir- 
ing the side. Does the run count? 

Common sense would allow the run. It should count. 
It is impossible to make a force third out of the play at 
first, because the base on balls really entitled the batsman 
to first base. It is impossible to force a man at a base 
to which the rules state he is legally entitled. 

Failure to touch base spoils chances. 

In the last half of the ninth with the home team one 
run behind, things begin to happen. With two down the 
home team managed to get runners on first and third. 
The batsman hits safely to left. The runner on third 
jogged home with what appeared to be the tieing run. In 
going from first to third, the runner originally on first 
failed to touch second. Both umpire and players had 
noticed the mistake. The shortstop, after calling for the 
ball, touched second, and the umpire ruled out the runner 
standing on third. Does the run count? 

The run does not count. The failure to touch second 
made a force play at that base for the third out. The 
runner who went to third never legally touched second, 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY loi 

and the throwing of the ball to that base simply made a 
force play out of the situation, the ball beating the 
runner to the bag. Rule 59 states no run can be scored 
in which the third out is a force play. 

Bonehead work on the coacher's part. 

Runner is on third, no one out, batter hits a ball to 
the left of the shortstop, who is forced to go nearly to 
second to get the grounder. Knowing proper base ball 
called for the runner on third to hold his base, he gave 
him little thought. He figured only on making a play 
at first. Just as he fielded the ball the shouts of his 
team mates caused him to look toward the plate, and he 
saw a visiting player running from third at full speed. 
He made a good throw to the plate, and the catcher 
touched out the visitor as he slid into the plate, the 
umpire rendering such a ruling. It then developed that 
the runner who had been thrown out at the plate was 
none other than the coacher from third. What about 
such a play? 

The umpire should have declared out the runner orig- 
inally on third. The rule governing this play states: 
if, while third base is occupied, the coacher stationed 
near the base shall run in the direction of home base, 
or near the base line, while the fielder is making or 
trying to make a play on a batted ball not caught on the 
fly, or a thrown ball, and thereby draws a throw to the 
home base, the base- runner shall be declared out for the 
coacher's interference, 

Being hit by a slow pitched ball. 

If the batsman is hit by a slow pitched ball, which he 
plainly attempts to avoid, is he entitled to first base? 



102 SPALDING'S A THLETIC LIBRAR Y 

It is argued that on a slow pitched ball, the batsman 
is not entitled to first, even though it is impossible for 
him to get out of the way. 

At one time failure of the batsman to get out of the 
way of a slow pitched ball did not entitle him to first. 
It was left to the umpire to determine whether or not 
the ball was a fast one or slow one. Under the present 
rules the batsman is entitled to first base if he is hit by 
any pitched ball at which he did not strike, unless in 
the opinion of the umpire he plainly made no effort to 
get out of the way of the pitched ball. 



To award first on fly that is caught. 

Batsman strikes at a pitched ball, his effort being a 
foul fly to the first baseman, which was caught by that 
player. In striking at the ball the catcher's glove came 
into contact with the player's bat, thereby interfering 
with him in getting his proper swing at the ball. What 
would have been the proper ruling? 

The batsman is entitled to first base any time the 
catcher interferes with him in, or preventing him from 
striking at a pitched ball. The fact that the ball was a 
foul, also that it was caught, had no bearing upon the 
case. The batsman is entitled to first. 



Where ball first hits makes no difference on this play. 

Ball hits a yard foul about midway between first and 
home, and then slowly rolls onto fair territory, and is 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 103 

picked up by the pitcher on fair territory about ten 
feet from the first base. Is the ball fair or foul ? 

The ball is f^ir. It makes no difference where the 
ball first strikes. It depends on the final resting place 
of the ball, provided it does not pass first or third base, 
and if it does, it depends in what territory it happened 
to be when it passed either base. Rule 44 clearly defines 
the happening. 

Coacher pulls a bad piece of work. 

Two out, runner on first, last half of the ninth. Batter 
hit a short fly to right, which looked like an easy chance. 
Runner on first reached third and was rounding the bag 
for home when the coacher informed him the ball had 
fallen foul. The runner started to cut across the dia- 
mond to go back to first. His team mates finally made 
him understand the ball was fair. In the meantime the 
ball had been thrown to the third baseman. The runner 
originally on first realized there was no chance for him 
to reach third in safety, neither could he get to first, as 
the man who hit the ball was standing on that bag. He 
made a wild dash for second and reached it before being 
touched with the ball. He was later touched with the 
ball in the hands of the shortstop, while he was standing 
on the bag. Was the runner safe or out? 

The runner was out, even though he was standing on 
second base when touched with the ball. Under Rule 52, 
the base-runner the moment he touched third base be- 
came the occupant of that bag. Getting back to second 
did not exempt him from being put out, third base alone 
insured him safety. It was a prize *'bone'* on the part 
of the coacher. 



104 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Four interesting queries and the answers. 

Here are four queries from one fan, and as they are 
often asked, I will answer them all under one head. 

1. With man on first and no one out, the batter strikes 
out, but ball gets away from the catcher. Catcher re- 
covers ball and throws to second ahead of runner, who 
advances from first to second on the play. Fielder re- 
ceiving ball touches base in advance of runner and then 
throws to first ahead of the batter who had struck out 
and run to first. How many are out? 

2. Runner on first, batter hits ball to first baseman, 
who fields it and touches first, retiring the runner. He 
then throws the ball to the second baseman, who touches 
the base ahead of the runner. Is that sufficient, or must 
the runner be touched out on such a play ? 

3. Runner on third. Umpire calls a balk on pitcher. 
Can runner score from third ? 

4. Why does not the infield fly rule apply with a 
runner on first base only? 

In Query i, the runner is safe at second. It is not a 
force play. The batter is the only man out. Under the 
rules the batter is automatically out when he strikes out 
with first base occupied, and less than two out, whether 
the catcher holds the third strike or not. 

In Query 2, the runner is also safe at second. The 
moment the first baseman touched first and retired the 
batter, he removed the force at second, making it neces- 
sary to touch out the runner. 

In Query 3, the runner on third has a right to score. 
On a balk all base-runners are entitled to advance. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 105 

In Query 4, I would say no infield fly is declared with 
a runner on first for the reason that there is never a 
chance for a double play, if the batsman runs out his hit. 
Batting out of turn. 

When it came time for the sixth batter in the list to go to the plate 
the seventh man went to bat in his place and made a hit; then No. 6 
discovered the mistake and went to bat, whereupon the umpire called him 
out for batting out of turn. Should not No. 7 come back to bat, since 
No. 6 was out, or should he stay on first as a result of his hit? 

Batsman No. 6 was out for not batting in his turn. If this is the third 
man out the proper batsman in the next inning is the player who would have 
come to bat had the players been put out by ordinary play in the preceding 
inning; No. 7 would thus come up again, to bat in his regular turn. If 
not the third man out, the game stands as it is being played, with No. 6 
out and No. 7 is the next batter. 

Another version of alleged force-out. 

Runner on first base when batter hits ioT three bases; batter being 
faster than the other man, he reaches third base before man ahead gets 
home; ball is thrown to catcher, who touches home base before runner gets 
there and umpire calls runner out, claiming a force; this decision was dis- 
puted and broke up the game; give correct decision. 

The umpire's ruling was absurd. Very frequently a slow runner is ahead 
of two speedy ones. There is no reason why a force can exist because one 
man can run faster than another. As repeatedly stated, there is no force 
play in Base Ball except it begins by the batter pushing the next rimner, 
the next two runners or the next three runners ahead of him. 

This rule seems to vex almost all young players. 

A base-runner running from second to home on a two-base hit goes more 
than three feet outside of the base line between third base and home. 
Should he not be called out? 

The runner is never out on such a play for running out of line unless he 
rims out of line to avoid a fielder who stands on the baseline waiting to 
touch him with the ball. When a man is going at top speed from second 
base to home it is simply impossible for him to remain within a three-foot 
line. What seems to mislead almost all in regard to this rule (Rule 56, 
Section 7) is that they overlook this clause: "He runs more than three feet 
from a direct line between a base and the next one in regular or reverse 
order to avoid being touched by a ball in the hands of a fielder," If it is 
not done to avoid a fielder, the runner can gallop as hard as he likes in a 
■wide circle to try to get his run over the plate. As a matter of fact — and 
it is a point young base-runners should bear in mind— the greater the detour 
the runner makes, the more he is handicapping himself. The closer he can 
adhere to the circuit of the bases, the less ground he has to cover. 



io6 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
When the infield fly rule is applied. 

One out; man on first base and man on third base; batter hits infield fly 
which by ordinary playing could be caught. Is it compulsory for the batter 
to run to first base and the man on first to try for second? 

The infield fly rule does not apply under the conditions outlined. First 
and second, or first, second and third must be occupied before the rule can 
apply. In case the batsman did not run out the hit, or the runner on 
first held that base, the fielder had the opportunity to drop the ball, throw 
it to second and so to first for a double play. 

Foul strike or foul ball 

Batsman in dodging pitched ball, accidently lets it hit his bat, and ball 
falls on foul territory. Is it a foul strike or a ball? 

Foul strike, if first or secoad strike; foul otherwise. 
The infield fly. 

If the bases are full and the batter hits an infield fly, is the batter 
forced out, or can the runners advance if the infielder drops the fly? 

The batter is not "forced" out, but is out automatically, if the umpire 
calls an infield fly. The situation as regards the runners differs according 
to whether the American or National rule is being observed. In the 
American the runners must hold bases until the ball is either caught or 
dropped — until the play on the ball is completed — then they can advance. 
In the National they can advance and, if the ball is dropped, keep going, 
but if caught must return to bases and then advance if they can, same as 
on any fly catch. 

Rule 53, section 4, covers what should be done. 

Batter has two strikes and three balls. The next pitched ball strikes 
batsman on the arm. Umpire called it "dead ball" and brought the bats- 
man to bat over, calling it neither ball nor strike, on the grounds that he 
tried purposely to get hit. Was umpire right or wrong in his ruling, and 
is there any specific rule in the book covering this particular play? 

See Rule 30 and Rule 31. For every fairly delivered ball the umpire 
must call a strike; if unfairly delivered he must call a ball. If the ball 
was fairly delivered and the player purposely got in the way of it, the 
umpire should have called him out on three strikes. If it was unfairly 
delivered, he must have his base on balls. All balls that hit batsman are 
dead balls. 

If he had hit the ball he would have been out, because he 
was not within the lines of his position. 

Batter runs toward the pitcher out of the batter's box and strikes at the 
ball but misses it. Is he out? 

He is not, if he failed to bat the ball. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 107 

Note the words in italic. 

If a batsman in his box hits a ball, which struck fair, and the ball 
bounces up and hits him while he is still in his box, is the batsman out? 

No; foul ball. 
Catcher should remain in his position. 

Three on bases and two out; two strikes and three balls on the batter; 
man on third starts home with the pitch and batter steps back out of the 
box; catcher steps ahead of the plate and tags runner out. Does not the 
catcher have a right to step ahead of the plate and catch the ball after the 
batter steps out of the box? Would the runner be out or safe? 

The pitch was a legal delivery and as such the catcher must take it 
within his lines; technically he has interfered with the batter, whatever 
the latter may have done. In the American League the batter would go 
to first and the runner would have to score oh the grounds of catcher's 
interference with batter; in the National they would call it a "catcher's 
balk" and move everybody up, presumably sending the batter to first also 
because of interference. While the National League's interpretation does 
not strictly conform with the rules, it is the best solution based on fair play. 

Batter can be removed any time. 

Sixth inning; batter has taken two strikes, when team ^ captain halts 
game, takes batter out and sends in substitute, who takes third strike and 
is out. Is this in accordance with rules? 

Yes, batter can be removed at any time. 

It is not too late. 

If, when a batter has two strikes and two balls charged against him, it 
is found that he is batting out of turn, is he out, or does the rule mean 
that the right batter shall be substituted immediately if the mistake is 
discovered? 

The rule aays the right batter shall be substituted at once. 

Depends on where it stops before reaching first or third 

bases. 

Batter bunts the ball on fair ground; it rolls foul and then back inside the 
diamond before reaching third base. He_ hits another ball to foul ground, 
and it rolls on fair ground before reaching third base and remains there. 
What are these two hits? 

Both hits are fair. 

Must show exactly where rule was violated. 

After a baseman has called the attention of the umpire to the fact that 
he should watch all of the bases when a batter seems to have made a 
three-base hit or a home run, should the umpire call the batter out if he 
fails, for instance, to touch second base? 

Not unless the fielding side makes a play on second base showing that 
someone knows the batter forgot to touch second on his way around the 
bases. 



io8 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
Umpire certainly did not understand "infield fly" rule. 

With men on first and second and one out, batsman hits a foul fly 
between third and home and the shortstop tries to catch the ball but drops 
it. The umpire rules the batsman out, under the infield fly rule. Was he 
right? 

Rule 51, Section 8, says: "The batsman is out if, before two hands are 
out, while first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied^ 
he hit a fly ball, other than a line drive, that can be handled by an in- 
fielder. In such case the umpire shall, as soon as the ball be hit, declare 
it an infield or outfield fly." It is very evident that this rule is intended 
to apply where there is a possibility of a double play. As there could be 
no double play on a trapped foul fly, the umpire was wrong. 

When batter can change from right to left, or vice versa. 

Batter after having one strike called on him changed to opposite side of 
plate, while pitcher had ball but was not in box ready to pitch. Was batter 
out? Also, batter turned his back to pitcher and refused to swing at ball, 
but did not leave batter's box; umpire called him out. Was umpire's deci- 
sion correct? While batter is standing with his back to the plate, i)itcher 
delivers ball which hits him, though he tried to get out of the way of it. Is 
batter out or is he entitled to his base? 

Batter can change to opposite side of plate if he does it before pitcher 
is in position to pitch. Fact that batter turns his back to plate or pitcher 
does not penalize him. Umpire should call ball or strike, as the case may 
be, and if he attempted to get out of the way of a pitched ball and still 
was hit he should be given his base, but it hardly seems reasonable that a 
batter acting in such a manner made a real try to avoid being hit. It would 
be for the umpire to say. In either case, however, the umpire has no 
authority to call the batsman out 

A play often misunderstood. 

In running the last half of the distance from home plate to first base, 
while the ball is being fielded to first base, can the runner step outside the 
three-foot limit line? 

Yes; as long as his doing so does not interfere with the play at first base. 

Batter hitting ball intended to catch base-runner. 

Pitcher standing in his box with ball in his possession; batter in pasition 
and runner on third; runner on third starts for home, pitcher throws ball 
to catcher to retire runner, but batters hits ball. Who is out, providing 
batter makes safe hit? In order to call batter out for interference must 
pitcher step out of hie box to throw home? Is it a balk to step into 
pitcher's box without ball in possession, providing no motion is made to 
pitch ? 

No one out. Yes. No, but not good base ball. The balk rule is lax 
on this point. When pitcher gets on rubber he is supposed to be ready 
to pitch, yet he can't pitch without the ball, which is surely deception. 
The rule should be changed. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 109 
Batter cannot change while pitcher is in act of delivery. 

With three balls and two strikes against the batter, the latter, who Is 
hitting from the right side of the plate, goes over to the left as the pitcher 
delivers the ball. The batter thinks it will be the fourth ball and keeps on 
toward first base. Is he not out under the rule which forbids the batter 
to go from one box to the other while the pitcher is in the act of deliver- 
ing the ball? 

He certainly is. He has no right to change his position on the theory 
that the pitcher is delivering a bad ball. He must wait until the umpire 
says it is a bad ball. 

Steal is allowed on a foul tip. 

If the batter makes a foul tip and the base-runner on first has stolen 
second at the same time is the steal allowed? 

It is. A foul tip caught by a catcher is the equivalent of a strike. 
Batter must become a base-runner to start a force play. 

A runner is on third base and a runner on second base. The runner on 
second base leads too far off the base and the runner from third tries to 
score. The second baseman throws the ball to the catcher, who stands on 
home plate, but does not try to touch the runner from third, who succeeds 
in returning to that base. Is not the runner from third base out, because 
he is forced, and is it not true that the catcher does not have to touch 
him? 

The runner from third base is not forced, and if h« is to be put out 
he must be touched by the ball in the hand of the catcher. If he succeeds 
in returning to third base without being touched, and if the runner from 
second base returns to that base without being touched, neither of them is 
out. No force play can result in base ball except that it begins by the 
batter becoming a base-runner. 

The batter receives credit for a safe hit nevertheless. 

If two hands are out and a runner from first base to second base is hit 
by a batted ball, is the batter credited with a base hit, even though it is 
the third out? 

The batter always receives a base hit, no matter what the status of the 
game may be, if a runner is hit by a batted ball. 

Look out for the infield fly. 

Three men on bases; one man out; the squeeze play is attempted, but 
the batter hits a pop fly which is caught by the pitcher; the umpire rules 
the batter out on an infield fly; the pitcher, after catching the ball, throws 
it to third base before the runner who was formerly on that base could 
return. 

The ruling has always been that runners must retouch their bases on an 
infield fly, same as on any other fly-ball catch. Therefore the runner 
would be out if, after the catch, the ball be thrown to the base before 
the runner tould return. 



no SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
Walking into a pitched ball. 

Batter is hit by pitched ball; opposing side claims he intentionally walked 
into ball and umpire calls it a strike. Should it be called a ball or should 
batter be called out or allowed to take his base? 

If batter swung at it or if it was over the plate and a fair pitch it 
would be a strike; otherwise a ball. Batter is not out for allowing ball 
to hit him, unless he does so in a manner to interfere with catcher making 
a play. 

Batter had already reached first safely, but was ambitious. 

With two hands out and a runner on second base the batter hits safely 
to right field. He is put out trying for a two-base hit, but the runner 
scores. Does the run count? 

It does, if the rui.ner crossed home before the runner from first base 
to second base was put out. 

Base runner is entitled to the next base. 

If there should be a runner on first base who started to steal second as 
the fourth ball was about to be pitched and who was touched by the 
second baseman before he could touch second base after the umpire had 
announced "ball four," would the base-runner be out? 

No; when the fourth ball is announced it entitles the runner on first 
to second base. 

If there had been already two out the batter would get credit 
for a base hit, but not for a home run. 

If a runner is on second base and the batter hits for a home run, does 
the runner on second score if the umpire decides that he failed to touch 
third base on his way home? 

He does not. 
Runner must actually touch the plate. 

If in sliding to home plate the base-runner should not be touched out by 
the_ catcher and at the same time should roll over the catcher's body, 
which is over home plate, is the runner out if the catcher can tag him 
before ne can get his foot or some part of his body on home plate? 

He is. 
Carelessness of base-runner robs batter of credit for a hit. 

Runner on first base, batter triples, man on first scores, but is called 
out for cutting second. Does batter get credit for a hit? 

If there were two out when batter tripled, he cannot be credited with 
the hit. Base-runner's failure to touch second was same as though he had 
been forced out at that base. In case no one, or but one, was out, then 
credit would be given for the hit, as only a man who was on base could 
be declared out for his failure to touch second. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY iii 
When a foul tip is not a foul tip. 

Batter had two strikes and two balls, the next ball delivered was fouled 
off, going on a direct line to the catcher, who could not get his hands up 
in time to stop it. Ball went down between the breast protector and the 
catcher's body. Umpire said batter was entitled to another strike, as the 
ball was not legally caught. Was he right? 

Batsman was not out and was entitled to another chance to hit the ball. 
It was not a foul tip as defined by Rule 46, because it was not "legally 
caught." Section 3 of Rule 51, defining "When Batsman is Out," spe- 
cifically states under what conditions a batsman is out on a foul, but also 
makes the following exception: "Provided it be not caught in a fielder's 
cap, protector, pocket or other part of his uniform," etc. 

The umpire had read his rule book. 

Runner on third; man at bat tries to squeeze the runner home; he 
strikes at the ball and misses it; the ball hits the batsman and the runner 
on the way home is touched by the catcher. The umpire sends the runner 
back to third and calls a strike on the batter. Is this right? 

Sure. 
Catch finished it, as far as play from batter was concerned. 

Runners on first and third; with one out, batsman hits outfield fly, 
which is caught; man on third scores after catch, but man on first is 
caught before he gets back, making third out on the play. Does run count? 

Run certainly counts if man from third crosses plate before play at 
first retiring the side is completed. 

Penalty goes, if there was contact between glove and ball. 

Infielder threw glove at batted ball; umpire gave runner three bases; 
game protested, claiming Section 6, Rule 54, does not apply, as glove did 
not stop ball. 

Rule is in force if glove touched the ball, regardless of whether it stopped 
ball or not. 

A strike is a strike, even if it is a foul tip. 

Can a base-runner steal second base when a foul tip is made which is 
also the second strike? 

He can, if the ball is caught, as a foul tip is a strike undfsr the ruling 
laid down by the Rules Committee. 

The rule is not interpreted literally under these circum- 
stances. 

With two strikes against him the batter strikes at the next ball. Think- 
ing it is caught, he takes two steps toward the bench; then discovering 
that the catcher missed the ball, runs in safety to first base. Can he be 
called out for running out of the line? 

No; he was safe. 



112 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
Where the umpire was in error; batter was out. 

Batter hits line drive to pitcher, who stops the ball with one hand and 
it rolls a short distance and touches the umpire. The pitcher picks up the 
ball and throws the batter out at first, but the umpire calls the runner 
safe. Is that ruling correct? 

No. Read Rule 54, 'Section 1, as follows: "The base-runner shall be 
entitled without liability to be put out to advance a base if a fair hit ball 
strike the person or clothing of the umpire or a base-runner on fair ground 
before touching, a fielder." The ball first touched a fielder and was at once 
in play and could be fielded upon recovery to any portion of the diamond. 
This rule has often been incorrectly interpreted. 



Plays hinging on the infield fly. 

Runners were on first, second and third bases, with one out; batter 
knocked infield fly, which umpire called while the ball was in the air; second 
baseman caught fly and tagged the runner at second, who was off the 
bag. Should this runner be called out, or was the play completed when 
umpire called "infield fly, batter out"? With a runner on first and second 
bases, the batter missed the last strike, which the catcher dropped, umpire 
calling batter out. Can a double play be made in such a case, that is, 
catcher to third to first, after missing last strike? 

Runner was out at second, the play being the same as on any other fly 
ball, except that batter is automatically out. Batsman is out (see Rule 51, 
Section 6) ; if the man on second base attempted to steal third on third 
strike and was touched out a double play could not be made on the theory 
that the runner on second is forced at third. The batsman is automatical!) 
out, removing the force. 

Umpire was not up on the rules. 

With runner on third, batter swings at ball but the catcher's glove was 
in the way of the bat and the bat hit the ball and the glove together, the 
ball rolling foul. The umpire allowed the runner to score from third. Was 
he right? 

No. If the catcher interfered, the batter was allowed to take first base, 
but unless a force play followed, because runners were on third, second 
and first, the runner on third could not be allowed to advance. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 113 



Knotty Problems Relative to the 
Base-Runner 

Failure to touch first causes trouble. 

The score is five to four against the home team, it is 
the last half of the ninth and a runner is on second and 
two men out. With three balls and two strikes on the 
batter, the pitcher threw a low spit ball at which the 
batter swung and missed. The ball got away from the 
catcher and rolled a considerable distance. The coacher 
at first noticed this and urged the batter to try for sec- 
ond. On recovering the ball the catcher threw badly to 
second. During the mixup, the runner originally on sec- 
ond scored, while the batsman continued on to third and 
eventually scored, when a bad peg was made to that base. 
At this stage the first baseman, who had been frantically 
yelling for the ball, made it known that the batsman 
who had struck out had missed first base in making the 
circuit. Getting the ball he touched first base. The 
umpire declared the batter out. Does the run scored by 
the man originally on second stand? 

The run does not score. The failure of the batsman 
who had struck out to touch first base made the play 
at that base a force third out, and on such plays no 
runs can score. 

Man apparently scored but didn't. 

Two are out in the last half of the ninth, and the score 
is 9 to I against the home team. The batter singles. He 
steals second and third unmolested on the first two balls 
pitched. Since his run had no direct bearing on the 



114 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

result, no attention was paid to his efforts. Some wag 
in the bleachers suggested he steal home. Acting on 
the suggestion he dashed for the plate as the pitcher 
started his windup. The pitcher decided to let him com- 
plete the theft and purposely continued to wind up, until 
the runner slid across the plate in safety. Before he 
actually delivered the ball to the batter, the runner who 
had stolen home was half way to the bench. The bats- 
man hit the ball when it was finally delivered and went 
out on a fly to left field, which retired the side and 
ended the game. Does the run count? 

The run does not count. The play is based on Rule 
59, which relates to the scoring of runs. A clause in 
this rule states, a run shall not be scored, if after touch- 
ing the first three bases, the runner comes home from 
third on a play in which the third man is forced out, or 
is put out before reaching first. The start of the play 
was when the pitcher started the windup, the completion 
was the fly to the outfield, which was caught, thus making 
the batter out before he reached first base. 



Advancing bases on fly that is juggled. 

Runners are on second and third, one man is out, batter 
hits fly to deep left field. Runner on third beHeves fly will 
be caught and holds his base, runner on second does not 
think ball will be caught and starts for third as soon as 
it is hit. The moment the ball strikes the fielder's hands, 
the runner on third starts for home. The ball bounds 
out of the fielder's hands, but he recovers it before it 
falls to the ground. By a swift accurate throw he man- 
ages to get the ball to second before the original 
occupant of that bag can get back, thereby retiring him 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 115 

for the second out. The ball was then thrown to the third 
baseman and a triple play claimed, since the runner orig- 
inally on that base had left the bag before the ball was 
actually caught. Was a triple play made, or did the run 
scored from third count? 

It was not a triple play, and the run scored from third 
counted. The moment a fly ball strikes the hands of a 
fielder, the base-runner has a right to advance, if he has 
held his base. Otherwise a fielder could juggle a ball as 
long as he desired, and all the time be rushing in to the 
infield. 

This play was not a force third out. 

The bases are filled, two are out, batter hits a short fly 
to left field on which each runner advances a base. The 
runner who advanced from first to second on the hit was 
in an excellent position to see the catch. Evidently he 
thought the left fielder had made a legal catch that made 
the third out, for he left second and started for first base, 
his position on the team. In the meantime the batsman 
had reached first, the runner on second had gone to third, 
while the man on third had gone home. The umpire 
ruled that the fielder had trapped the ball, not caught it. 
The players on the team at bat finally made the runner 
who had left second, realize the decision, but before he 
could get back he was tagged out. Did the run count ? 

The run counted. The third out made at second base 
was not a force out, as the team in the field contended. 
The runner having once touched second base became the 
occupant of that base, thereby eliminating any possibility 
of a force play. He left the base at his own peril after 
having become the possessor of it. 



ii6 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Runner was entitled to score. 

In the ninth inning, with the score a tie, two men out 
and a runner on second, the batsman singled sharply to 
left field. The runner on second, away to a good start, 
decided to try and score on the hit. The left fielder 
made a perfect throw to the plate, which had the runner 
beaten a considerable distance. The runner slid into the 
plate at full speed. It so happened that the ball took a 
last bad bound and hopped over the catcher's head. The 
pitcher of the team in the field was backing up the play. 
The catcher decided the one thing to do was to keep the 
runner from touching the plate. He set himself squarely 
in front of the plate to carry out that idea. Runner and 
catcher became tangled up and due to the rough actions 
of the catcher, the runner was tagged out by the pitcher 
before he was able to touch the plate. Was the runner 
out or should the score have been allowed? 

The runner should have been allowed to score. Under 
Section 5 of Rule 54, the runner is entitled to advance 
a base when the obstruction of a fielder prevents him 
from making a base, unless latter has ball in his hand 
ready to touch runner. 

The run certainly did count. 

With the score a tie, team at bat fills bases with two 
down. With the count three balls and two strikes on 
the batter, the runners very properly started to advance 
at top speed, as the pitcher began his windup. The pitch 
was wide, making the fourth ball. The runner coming 
home from third seeing the pitch was a ball, slowed up 
and merely walked toward the plate. The runner orig- 
inally on second slightly overran third on reaching that 
bag. A snap throw from the catcher retired him, making 
the third out. The third out was made before the runner 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 117 

from third had actually crossed the plate. Does the run 
count ? 

The run counts. The base on balls to the batter with 
the bases filled, entitled the runner on third to score. It 
made no difference whether he had actually crossed the 
plate or not before the third out was made. 

Once again runner must be touched. 

One out, runners on first and second, batsman strikes 
out, but ball gets away from catcher. Catcher recovers 
ball and throws to third ahead of runner, who advanced 
from second, but fielder does not touch runner with the 
ball. Is the runner out, and are runners forced to advance 
on such a play? 

According to Section 6 of Rule 51, unless two men are 
already out, the batsman is out if a third strike is called 
on him when first base is occupied by a runner. Thus, 
in the above case, the batsman was automatically out 
when the third strike was called, regardless of the fact 
that it was not held by the catcher. In such a case run- 
ners are not forced to advance ; they did so at their own 
peril. The fact that the ball arrived at third ahead of 
the runner was not enough to retire him ; it was necessary 
to touch him out. 

Fielder had a chance to make play. 

Runner is on second, batter hits a ball to the shortstop. 
It is a hard hit ball. One is out at the time. The runner 
on second starts for third, believing the fielder will not 
get the ball. The ball gets away from the fielder after 
he gets it squarely in his hands, and rolls about ten 



Ii8 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

feet away. The shortstop starts after it and the runner 
collides with him. The decision was that the runner was 
out because of interference with the shortstop in fielding 
the ball. Was that proper ? 

Once the fielder had a chance to make a play on the 
ball, it killed any chaxice for an interference play, when 
the shortstop collided with him as he pursued the ball. 
If such interference plays were allowed, infielders after 
making an error on a ball would always purposely try 
to collide with a runner in order to atone for the mis- 
play. 

Fielder always has right of way. 

Batsman hits foul fly that comes down laear the bench 
of his team mates. First baseman makes a play on the 
ball. Just as the player is about to complete the catch, 
one of the players tosses out a bat, which strikes the 
feet of the first baseman with considerable force. He gets 
the ball squarely in his hands, but drops it, due no doubt 
to the action of one of the players, who hit him with the 
bat. The umpire ruled the batsman out. Was he right? 

The umpire was perfectly correct in his ruling. The 
fielder always has the right of way. The action of a 
player on the bench in striking the fielder with his bat 
while about to make the catch, certainly constituted an 
interference. 

Fielder touched the wrong man. 

With runners on second and third and one out, the 
batsman hit to the shortstop, who threw home to head off 
the runner from third. The runner from second went 
to third and the batsman to second in the runup. It 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 119 

so happened that the runner originally on third managed 
to get back to that base in safety, which created the 
familiar situation of two runners standing on the same 
bag at the same time. The third baseman, last to handle 
the ball, touched with the ball the original occupant of 
the bag. He then tossed the ball to the pitcher. The 
moment he did, the runner at third dashed for the plate. 
He reached it in safety. Was he out or entitled to score? 

With two men standing on third, at the same time, the 
original occupant was the only one exempt from being 
put out. The third baseman erred in touching the original 
occupant, he should have touched the runner who ad- 
vanced from second. No one was out, and the runner 
who had been touched had a perfect right to score. 

Scores on a freak squeeze play. 

One out, runner on third, squeeze play is called for. 
Runner dashes for plate on the pitch, while batter bunts 
a pop fly in the direction of third. Almost before the 
ball had met the bat, the runner from third slid safely 
across the plate. The shortstop made the play on the 
ball. The coacher beheved he would get it and double 
up runner originally on third. The runner who had 
crossed the plate, started back to third. The shortstop 
failed to catch the ball, but got it on the first bound. 
He tossed it to the third sacker, who touched out the 
runner, who had once reached the plate, as he slid back 
into third. What about the play? 

It IS a peculiar case, yet, an exactly similar one came 
up in the American League. It was held that the runner 
who once reached the plate actually scored. The moment 
he touched the plate he scored, and what happened later 
had no bearing on the case. Rule 59 covers the play. 



120 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Runner from third is out. 

Runner is on third, one fflsn is out, squeeze play is 
called for. The batsman fails to connect and the run- 
ner from third would have easily been retired had not 
the batsman interfered with the catcher in making the 
play and prevented him from doing so. What would 
have been the proper ruling, should the batsman or base- 
runner be declared out, because of the interference? 

In this case the runner from third should have been 
declared out. Section 15 of Rule 56 specifically states, 
the base-runner is out if with one or no one out and a 
base-runner on third, the batsman interferes with the 
play being made at the plate. The idea is to inflict the 
penalty that will be the most severe, and the calling out 
of the base-runner kills the chance of a possible score. 
With two men out and the same play comes up, the 
batter is made to suffer and he is the one declared out, 
retiring the side. 

Was necessary to touch the runner. 

Runner on first, one out, three balls and two strikes 
on the batter. On the next pitch the runner starts for 
second. The batter swings and misses the third strike. 
The catcher makes a perfect throw to second and retires 
the runner trying to steal. The ball at which the batter 
swung for the third strike was close and inside. It just 
grazed his uniform as he struck out. What was the 
proper ruling? The team in the field claimed a double 
play. 

The batsman is out, if, while attempting a third strike, 
the ball touch any part of the batsman's person. In all 
such cases base-runners cannot advance. The umpire 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 121 

should have declared the batsman out and sent the run- 
ner, who had apparently been retired, back to first, the 
base he occupied when the play started. 

On passing a preceding runner. 

Runner on first, one out, batter hits a deep drive to 
right field. Runner believes fly will be caught and stops 
half way between first and second. Batsman feels cer- 
tain the ball will go safe and tears around the bases at 
full speed. He passes runner originally on first, while 
running from first to second. Batsman who hit the ball 
was able to complete the circuit on the drive, as the fielder 
was unable to make the catch. What should have been 
the ruling? 

Even though the batsman apparently made a home run, 
he was out the moment he passed a preceding runner 
between first and second. This play is covered in Sec- 
tion 16 of Rule 56. 

Intent cannot be considered in interference plays. 

The bases are filled, two men are out and the batsman 
hits the ball to the shortstop. The base-runner very 
properly runs behind the fielder, in order not to in any 
way interfere. The shortstop gets set for the ball, just as 
the runner is in the act of passing him from the rear. 
The fielder at that very moment decides that if he takes 
another step backward he will be in a better position to 
handle the ball. The step is fatal, it results in a collision 
between fielder and base-runner, both falling to the 
ground. All three runners score and the batter reaches 
second. What was the proper ruling on this play? 

The umpire should have called the runner going to third 
out for interference. The fielder always has the right of 



122 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

way and while he may have directly been the cause of 
the collision, it was the duty of the base-runner to avoid 
him. In all plays of interference, the intent cannot be 
considered. 

More about the infield fly rule. 

Runners on first and second; batted ball hits umpire and runner from 
second scores and runner from first goes to third; umpire calls batter safe 
and calls runners back to bases they started for. Runner on first; batter 
hits infield fly to second baseman, and runner from first was touched on 
second base; umpire calls this runner back to first base and batter out 
under infield fly rule. 

In the first instance umpire was right; there can be no advance further 
than to make room for the batter. In the second question umpire misin- 
terpreted infield fly rule, as is plain enough if rule is read. Batter was 
out if fly ball was caught and runner from first would be out if he left 
base before ball was caught. 

Runner can turn in either direction. 

Runner on third, two out; batter gets a hit and runner from third scores, 
but batter after reaching first safely turns wrong way and ball is put on 
him. Does run count? 

There is no such thing as runner turning wrong way after overrunning 
first. He can return to first no matter which way he turns, so long as he 
does not attempt to advance. In any event, the run would count, presum- 
ing it had crossed the plate before batter had been put out after reaching 
first safely and he could only be put out under circumstances stated. 

Runner should not be penalized if umpire is hit. 

Runner attempted to steal second base; catcher's throw hits umpire and 
umpire sends runner back to first. Was decision right ?_ Runner attempts 
to steal third; catcher's throw hits bat of batter, who is in his box; umpire 
sends runner back to second. Was this decision right? 

Thrown ball that hits umpire is still in play and umpire who sent runner 
back was wrong. If there was no interference on part of batter would 
hold this a bad throw on part of catcher, just as if he had hit a runner. 
If batter interfered and was at fault he would be out and runner would 
be sent back. 

What has third strike to do with third base? 

With a base-runner on third base the batter strikes out and the team in 
the field claims that the runner on third base is out and the batter safe 
because the third strike is dropped by the catcher. 

Nonsense. That is the vn-ong application of a rule which has nothing 
to do with third base but with first base. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 123 
Stupid base running causes a lot of trouble. 

Runners on second and third when batter hits a home run. Runner from 
second failed to touch third base, and when the ball was held on the base 
the umpire called him out and also called out the player who hit the home 
run for passing the preceding base-runner. Was umpire right? 

No. The player who made the home run had no knowledge that the 
runner from second had failed to touch third base. The decision at third 
base could not have been except on appeal. Read Rule 57. The man 
who failed to touch third base came within the "legally put out" clause 
the moment that he failed to touch the base. In other words, he was 
automatically legally put out when he did fail to touch the base Yet if 
the opposing side did not claim the put out it could not be made, which 
protects the man making the home run. Conversely, the side at bat could 
score because a run could not be decided as not having scored when it 
was uncertain that the neglect of the runner to touch third base had been 
observed by either side. 

A foul tip is not a "foul/' 

Two strikes on batter and on the next pitch he is out on a foul tip, held 
by the catcher; runner steals base on the ctrike-out, but umpire says he 
cannot advance on foul and sends him back. Was decision correct? 

Umpire was wrong; a foul tip is not a foul, but merely continuation of 
strike, and ball is still in play and bases can be run on it the same as if 
ball had not been tipped by bat. 

This is a query that is often asked. 

Can the runner turn either side of first base when running from home 
plate? 

Yes, unless he makes a direct turn toward second and gives indication 
of trying to make that base. In that event he is subject to being put out. 

Once more the force play commands attention. 

Runner on first base and the batter bats the ball to the second baseman, 
who attempted to touch the runner from first between first and second. 
The runner stopped on the line, however, and the second baseman then 
threw the ball to the first baseman, retiring the batter. The first baseman 
then threw the ball to the shortstop at second base. The ball reached the 
shortstop ahead of the runner, but the fielder failed to touch the runner. 
Was the latter out and could he return to first under such a play? 

He was not out. He could return to first. The moment that the batter 
was put out at first there was no longer a force play and the runner who 
had been at first was at liberty to go where he pleased, so lon^g as he was 
not touched by some one who had the ball in his hand. There never can 
be a force play on the field after the batter is first put out. This seems 
to be the one question which bothers all young players and some old ones. 
It is argued about constantly, yet it must be evident that when the batter 
is retired base-runners can move at their will on the base lines. 



124 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
When a runner is out while standing on his base. 

With a runner on third, batter hits a slow bounding ball down third 
base line. Runner returns to and stands squarely on bag. The third base- 
man, realizing that he cannot retire the batter at first, allows the ball to 
roll, thinking it may go foul. The ball rolls to the third-base bag, hits 
it and, bounding up, strikes the runner, who is declared out under thq 
rule of being hit by a batted ball. 

Under the provisions of Section 12 of Rule 56 base-runner was out. 
The fact that the runner is standing on the base does not alter the rule. 
For instance, three men might be on bases and two out and the runner 
standing on first or third might be hit with a fairly batted ball and prevent 
the fielder from making a play, thus scoring a run, which would certainly 
be wrong. 

No possible reason for calling the runners out in this case. 

Runners on first and second when batter hits foul; pitcher gets ball and 
steps behind plate, then throws over first base; runners, thinking the ball 
is in play with pitcher in position, advance one base each on his bad 
throw; first baseman returns ball to pitcher, who steps into position and 
then throws ball to first and second; one umpire calls runners out and the 
other umpire sends them back to bases. 

The umpire who sent runners back to bases originally held Is the one 
who gave the only sensible decision. Ball was not in play until held by 
pitcher in position and "play** called by umpire behind plate. Whatever 
an erratic pitcher may have done with the ball before it is in play does not 
matter unless the umpire wants to fine him for delaying the game. 

Base-runner struck by thrown ball while running him down. 

Base-runner is caught between first and second; in running him down, 
as he nears second base, the ball is thrown to the second baseman, but it 
strikes the runner on the back of the neck, stunning him, so that he falls 
over second base, where he is touched by the second baseman, and called 
out by the umpire; runner maintairrs he is not out, as time should have 
been called by the umpire immediately upon his being knocked out. 

If he was on the base he was safe; if not, he was omt. 

Runner is out, but it is a base hit for batsman. 

Three men on base, with two out. Batter hits the ball, which hits the 
base-runner, off third, making three out- Is the batter to be credited with 
a hit? 

Rule Is plain on the point, and says: "In all cases where a base-runner 
is retired by being hit by a batted ball, unless batted by himself, the 
batsman should be credited with a base hit." 

Can the coacher make believe to run from third base to 
home plate? 

No. See Rule 56, Sec. 19. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 125 
Runner can take the chance. 

Are runners permitted to advance under the following circumstances: 
while first and second bases are occupied by runners before two men are 
out, the batter hits an infield fly which is not caught? 

In the National League the runners on first and second bases may 
advance at their own risk. After a batsman has been declared out on 
the infield fly, the play is just the same as on any other fly balU 

The "forct rule'* explained once more. 

One man out; runner on first base and runner on second base; pitcher 
throws to shortstop at second base; base-runner at second sees he has no 
chance to get back, so he starts for third. While he is being run up and 
down the line the runner on first leaves that base and runs to second 
base, on which he stands. Center fielder comes in and stands beside him to 
take part in the play, if necessary. Base-runner who has been on second 
Is returning to second, and ball is thrown to center fielder. As he catches 
the ball the runner coming back to the base falls. Center fielder touches 
the base-runner standing on second (the man who had come from first) 
and then steps off the base and touches the base-runner who had been 
on second originally, as the latter is picking himself up. Umpire decides 
a double play. Is he correct? 

Under Rule 56, Section 9, runner was not out. He was entitled to 
second base until forced off by return of base-runner from third. This 
man could not be called out while standing on the base. If both runneris 
were occupying second base, the runner from first would be the one to be 
declared out. 

One runner cannot force the preceding runner off his base. 

Runners on second and third; batter hits to shortstop and runner from 
second goes to third, forcing runner off there; shortstop throws to plate 
and catcher, thinking it forced run, does not tag runner, but throws to first 
to catch batter; runner that had touched third goes back to second; umpire 
calls runner going from third to home out. Was he correct? Runners on 
second and third; runner on second forces runner off third base; this 
runner stops on line on way to plate, and catcher, who gets ball, thinks he 
has given up and throws ball to first base; runner then comes in and 
touches plate; umpire calls him out. Was he correct? 

To start with, get clear in/ your head that there has been no "force" of 
runner off third base in either case. One runner cannot force another 
Off hie base except to make room for the batter at first. In your first ques- 
tion the runner from third has legally scored, if he was not tagged, and the 
fact that he scores makes runner from second legal occupant of third base, 
provided he held base when runner that left it sctored. In that case he 
has no right to run bases in reverse order and return to second and could 
be tagged out any place off third base. In the second case, there is no 
such thing as "giving up" on bases, and if runner coming in from third 
was not tagged his score counts. Umpire was wrong in both decisions. 



126 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
If two were out, it was a force at first. 

First and second bases occupied; batter strikes out and catcher lets third 
strike get away; batter goes to first base, but neither of other runners left 
their bases. 

The rule is perfectly plain. If less than two were already out the batter 
is out, whether the catcher held the ball or not. 

Runner certainly was entitled to return to first base. 

Runner on first base and batter hits grounder to pitcher; runner on first 
runs about two feet off first base. Pitcher throws the ball to first base- 
man, who touches his base and throws to second. Runner, instead of going 
to second, returns to first base. Was he entitled to do so? 

As soon as the batsman was retired at first base, the force play was 
lost and therefore the runner could return to first safely. 

Everyone can run, at his own risk, of course. 

Two men on base, second and third; one out. Batter receives four 
balls, but catcher misses last ball. Is the man on third entitled to score 
on passed ball or does he remain on third? 

Man on third is entitled to score on the passed ball, provided he can do 
so. If catcher misses fourth ball, runners on bases, as well as batsman 
who was passed, can go as far as they can. 

This is a puzzler to many, yet perfectly reasonable. 

V/^'th a runner on second and one on third, and no one out, runner on 
third tries to steal home and is caught between home and third, the runner 
from second goes to third and is touched by the third baseman while 
standing on the third base. Who is entitled to the base? 

As soon as the preceding runner started to steal home, the runner from 
second secured a tentative right to third base, which protected him until 
the runner who had the legal right to that base returned to it. Hence, 
if both runners while on third base were touched with the ball, the runner 
from second would be out, for the reason that he had lost his tentative 
right to that base on the return to it of the preceding runner. 

Runner took all the risk. 

With a man on third and second, the runner on second, who had taken 
a lead toward third, was not given time enough to return to his base when 
the batter failed to hit the ball fair. He contended that he was entitled to 
go to third, which, of course, would have forced in a run. The rules 
state very clearly that a runner shall be entitled to take the succeeding 
base without being put out in case the pitcher does not give him time to 
return to the base he had occupied. 

This rule regarding runners has been clearly misunderstood in the above 
instance. The pitcher was foolish not to see that the runner had not 
returned to second, and if the runner continued to go to third he did so 
at his own risk. See Sec. 13 of Rule 56. 



127 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
There was no force-out at home plate. 

B-ses full, no one out and the third strike is called on batter; catcher 
drops ball and immediately picks up ball and touches home plate, then tags 
batter and throws to first baseman, who tags first base-runner who is 
returning to first base; umpire calls batter out (I suppose by Rule 51, 
Section 6) and man tagged while not in contact with first base out; 
players in the field claimed three men out, third base-runner also, asserting 
that third base-runner was forced. 

Umpire was right; batsman and man caught off first base are out. 

The rule is inexorable, and it does seem unjust in this par- 
ticular instance. 

With a runner on second, the batter hits the ball to left field. The 
coacher at third base touches the runner, but the ball bounds into the 
bleachers for a home run. Should the umpire call the first runner out 
because he has been touched by the coacher? 

An ironclad decision was agreed upon by those in authority that any 
runner touched at any time by a coacher at third base must be declared out, 
but this was later modified 0916) by allowing a coacher at third base to 
touch or hold a runner, as long as, in the opinion of the umpire, he does 
not physically assist him in returning to or leaving third base and only 
after all chance for a play on the runner ceased. 

Umpire should read Rule 59. 

With a runner on second and one on third and one out, a fly ball is 
batted to the left fielder. Runner on second starts for third. The runner 
on third holds the base until the ball is caught and runs home. The 
coacher sends the runner back to second who had started for third. He is 
caught out at second for the third out. Before this takes place the runner 
from third has reached home. Does his run count? The umpire said not. 

Yes. 



128 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Knotty Problems Relative to Pitching 

Majors differ on this happening. 

One out, runner on third, pitcher starts to deliver ball, 
but in winding up his arm strikes his leg and the ball j 
falls to the ground and rolls a few feet away from the | 
pitcher's box. What would be the proper ruling on such 
a play? 

Strictly interpreting the rules it would be a balk, as any 
motion made by the pitcher while in a position to deliver 
the ball to the bat without delivering it, is regarded as a 
balk. The National League adheres to that interpreta- 
tion. Such being the case the runner on third would 
have been allowed to score. In the American League, 
President Johnson has instructed to treat such a happen- 
ing in the light of an accident, not to rule it a balk, but to 
allow runners to advance at their peril. 

A rule that unfortunately is never enforced. 

Can a balk be called for holding the ball too long after 
a pitcher gets on the rubber in position to deliver the ball 
to the batter ? 

The rules give the umpire the right to inflict such a 
penalty, but I cannot recall an instance where the umpire 
enforced the right. I have a number of times been on 
the verge of making such a ruling, but usually just as I 
made up my mind to so act, the pitcher would come 
through. It would probably be helpful if the umpires 
took more advantage of the clause, which gives him tb 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



129 



right to call a balk any time in his belief such action on 
the part of the pitcher unnecessarily delayed the game. 

Calling of a balk suspends play. 

Runner on first, pitcher makes a feint to throw to first, 
but fails to do so, and umpire loudly calls balk. Pitcher 
than hurriedly throws to plate and batter hits ball over 
the fence. What should have been the proper ruling? 

Such a happening as the above is a very unfortunate 
one for the umpire. The moment he declared a balk, 
play ceased. The declaring of the balk entitled the run- 
ner on first to advance to second. The fact that the 
pitcher delivered the ball and the batsman hit it over the 
fence cannot be given any consideration. The ball was 
not in play, hence the batsman must hit over again. 

Here is "catcher's balk" explained. 

Runner on third, pitcher pitches ball and runner starts for home; catcher 
steps across the plate in front of batter, catches ball, and tags runner out. 
A contends that the proper decision would be: Batter goes to first and 
runner back to third. B contends that run is scored. The particular point 
of the contention is as to whether the runner scores or goes back to third. 

Batsman is sent to first base because of interference of the catcher in 
preventing the batsman gtriking at the pitched ball and, in addition, the 
runner from third scores because of the catcher being outside the lines 
of his position, thus causing a balk according to the National League ruling 
on this play. 

In this case it was not a balk, but a catcher can make one 
under certain circumstances. 

Runner on third base, pitcher delivers ball to the batsman as the runner 
starts to steal home. The catcher steps outside his box and receives the 
ball. The batsman makes no attempt to strike at the ball but blocks the 
catcher as the latter tries to touch the runner. The teatn at bat claims 
that the runner scores because the catcher balked. What should the 
decision be? 

If the batsman clearly interfered with the catcher the runner is out 
under Rule 56, Section IS, which reads: "The base-runner is out if with 
one or no one out and a base-runner on third base, the batsman inter- 



ijo SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

feres with a play being made at home plate." It has erroneously been 
asserted that the catcher cannot make a balk. He can make a balk, but 
not on this play. Rule 34, Section 9, reads: "Delivery of the ball to 
the bat when the catcher is standing outside the lines of the catcher's posi- 
tion as defined in Rule 3." This rule is meant to apply to an instance 
where the catcher would stand outside of his position in order that a bats- 
man might purposely be given first base on four called balls. 

Pitcher finishing the game figures as the winner—or loser — 
as the case may be. 

If a pitcher is taken out of the game with the score a tie and another 
pitcher finishes the game which is won by his team, does he get credit 
for the victory? 

He does, even if the game lasts but an inning longer. This point has 
been incorrectly ruled upon, on the theory that because a pitcher is in 
the game nine innings he should receive credit for the game because he 
goes out when it is a tie. However, the pitcher who is compelled to take 
his place is as likely to lose the game in one inning, perhaps, as he is to 
win it, so that all things being equal he must receive credit for a victory 
as he would be penalized for a defeat. 

The most deliberate kind of a balk. 

Runners on second and third; pitcher makes motion to throw to batter, 
also to throw to third, but does not throw to either; umpire calls runner 
in from third and scores him. Was he right? 

It was a balk and runner scores from third and runner on second 
advances to third. 

Some pitchers get away with what clearly resembles a balk. 

Is a pitcher compelled to stand perfectly still while in position to pitch 
or else be charged with a balk? If not, what movements can he make? . 

The only restriction is that he shall not make any motions that are part 
of his delivery. It depends largely upon the peculiarities of each pitcher 
in his delivery. 

Plainly an error, and a stupid one. 

With two batters out a grounder is batted to the shortstop. There are 
runners on second and third bases. The shortstop, forgetting that there 
is not a runner at first base, picks the ball up and throws it to the home 
plate. The runner who was going in from third gets back to third safely. 
The batter also reaches first in safety. Is this what is called a fielder's 
choice. 

"Fielder's choice" has to stand for a great deal, but it doesn't have to 
stand for that. With two out the shortstop had but one play to make — 
throw to first base. When he failed to do so he was to be charged with 
an error, exactly as he would have been if he had thrown the ball over 
the grand stand. 



131 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
It is up to the captain of the opposing team to decide. 

Is it possible for a player to return to the game after another player 
has run for him? 

Yes, if it has been agreed upon by both captains. If the opposing cap- 
tain will not permit a player to return to the game after a player has run 
for him, it is impossible for the player again to resume his place on the 
field. 

A player may "revolve^* as long as he has not been out of 
that particular game. 

Can a player pitch four innings, play right field two innings and then 
return to the box and pitch to the finish of the game? 

Certainly, So long as the player does not leave the team and the field 
he may play a different position every inning, if there is occasion for him 
to do so. 

Any motion to deceive a base runner is a balk. 

If the pitcher should make a motion with his knee, which is similar to 
that which he makes when he is about to pitch the ball, should the umpire 
call a balk against him? 

The umpire certainly should. Any motion which tends to deceive a base- 
runner should be punished at once by the umpire. 

Pitcher taken out with two balls on batter. 

In fourth inning pitcher becomes wild and after filling bases on passes 
has two balls on fourth batter, when manager orders him out; umpire 
refuses to let him leave position, telling manager he must dispose of man 
at bat before he can be relieved. 

Umpire was wrong. Rule says pitcher must dispose of his first batter 
upon going into game and this pitcher had disposed of three already in this 
inning. 

Where a pitcher makes a motion to throw to second base. 

Can the pitcher turn toward second and make a motion to throw without 
a balk being charged against him. 

Yes. 

Only the base-runners can advance on a balk. 

Does the batter go to first when the umpire declares a balk? 
No. Only the base-runners can advance on a balk. 

The pitcher performed his part and should get credit. 

When batsman reaches first base after catcher drops the third strike is 
the pitcher credited with a strike out in his record, although the catcher 
is charged with an error? 

The pitcher is credited with a strike-out. 



132 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Knotty Problems Relative to Umpire 

Ball in play even though it hit the umpire. 

One down, runner on first, batsman hits liner back 
at pitcher, who merely throws up his gloved hand in self 
protection. The ball struck the glove squarely and re- 
bounded toward the shortstop. As it passed the umpire 
it just grazed his trousers. The shortstop recovered the 
ball, tossed to second, forcing the runner there, and the 
throw to first beat the batsman. The manager of 
team at bat argued against the double play, which the 
umpire allowed, claiming since the batted ball struck the 
umpire, it should give him the right to first and that the 
runner on first should of course advance to second. What 
was the proper ruling? 

The umpire was right in allowing a double play. Once 
a fielder has made a play on a ball and touches it, the 
fact that it later hits the umpire has no bearing on the 
case. 

Umpire's duty in case of injury. 

With the score a tie in the last half of the ninth, and 
two out, the batsman hits a long line drive to right cen- 
ter. Both the right and center fielders make a try for 
the hit, and either might have made the catch, had it 
not been for the interference of the other. The right 
fielder got his hands on the ball, but the moment it 
struck his hands, the center fielder colHded with him and 
both players dropped to the ground unconscious. The 
ball continued on its way towards the fence. At the 



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^22^ 



moment the ball struck the fielder's hands, the batsman 
was midway between first and second. It was apparent 
both players were badly hurt. The crowd, as well as the 
players in the field, insisted that time be called. The 
left fielder recovered the ball and relayed it to the plate, 
but the batter made the circuit easily. Was it proper to 
allow the run? 

It did seem wrong to allow play to continue, but the 
umpire under the rules could not do otherwise. Play 
can only be suspended when all chance for action ceases. 
If the umpires called time every time a player was 
injured, it would only be a short while when all would be 
feigning injury when it would be to their advantage. 

Team should not suffer for umpire's mistake. 

Runner on third, two men out, batter hits a ball which 
travels down the first base line a yard foul. Runner on 
third off at the pitch, crosses the plate while the ball is 
still in foul territory. Umpire believes ball is sure to 
remain foul and so calls it. The moment he does so, the 
batsman who is nearing first, stops and hastens back to 
the plate. The next instant the ball hits something and 
rolls into fair territory and is a fair ball. First baseman 
recovers ball, touches first and claims the out. What was 
the proper ruling? 

The umpire was in error, because he ruled too quickly. 
However, since he declared it a foul ball, he had no 
recourse other than to stick to his decision. Had he not 
ruled too quickly, the batsman would have probably 
continued to first, beaten the play and the runner from 
third would have scored. In all probability the first 



134 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

baseman would have fielded the ball in foul territory, had 
not the call of foul by the umpire caused him to cease 
pursuit. To have changed from foul to fair, after hav- 
ing caused the runners to stop at the call of foul, would 
have been grossly unfair to the team at bat. 

Umpire must use his judgment on this one. 

Runner on second, the batsman hits the ball to the left 
of the third baseman, which it seems he will have no 
difficulty in handling. The shortstop, just as the pitcher 
was delivering the ball, was in the act of driving the run- 
ner on second back to that base by running toward it, as 
if expecting a throw from the pitcher. The moment the 
ball was pitched he started toward his own position so as 
to keep the batter from hitting through the spot he 
had just vacated. Not more than ten feet from second 
base the runner collided with the shortstop and both fell 
to the ground. In the meantime the third baseman had 
allowed the ball hit right at him to trickle through his 
hands and roll into left field. The runner regained his 
feet and managed to reach third in safety. The team in 
the field contended that the runner should have been de- 
clared out, because he interfered with the shortstop, who 
they insisted would probably have made the play. What 
about the argument of the team in the field? 

When two or more men attempt to field the ball and 
the base-runner comes into contact with one of them, the 
umpire shall declare the runner out for coming into con- 
tact with a fielder other than the one the umpire deter- 
mines to be entitled to make the play. From the descrip- 
tion, it would seem that it was the third baseman's ball, 
that the shortstop had no chance of making a play, hence 



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2S 



no attention should have been paid to the collision, and the 
runner allowed to advance at his peril. 

The umpire and a thrown ball. 

When the umpire is hit by a thrown ball does it make 
any difference whether he is on fair or foul territory? 
Is there any way in which a thrown ball can be ruled 
dead and no bases advanced by contact with the umpire ? 

A thrown ball is always in play whether it strikes the 
umpire on fair or foul territory. Base-runner, or run- 
ners, shall be entitled to all the bases they can make. 
When the umpire is stationed back of the bat, the ball 
becomes dead and runners return to their original bases, 
if the person or clothing of the umpire interfere with 
the catcher in an attempt to throw. 

Umpire "beaned," but ball was in play. 

Score a tie in the ninth and two out, when batter hits to third baseman, 
who makes perfect throw to first that would have retired batter, but umpire 
gets in way of throw and is hit on the head; runner on third goes home 
and umpire rules run counts, winning the game. Was umpire correct? 

Yes, under the rules; if a thrown or pitched ball hits the umpire, it is in 
play. This is a change from the previous rule and differs from the rule 
regarding a batted ball hitting the umpire. 

Umpire hit before or after another player had touched ball. 

When is a b^ll that is fouled in play again? Does it go into play as soon 
as the batter gets in his box and the pitcher is in position or does the 
runner have to retouch the base he left before it is in play? Batter hits 
through pitcher and the ball hits the umpire; pitcher recovers ball and 
throws batter out at first; was not the batter entitled to first base? 

Under the rules regarding the foul ball not caught, play is not resumed 
until the umpire has ordered it and the umpire's duty is to see that all 
players are back in position, the runner on the base he had left and the 
pitcher in position with the ball. In brief, play is not resumed until the 
umpire orders it. If ball did not touch pitcher before hitting umpire, then 
batter is entitled to base; if it first touches pitcher or was touched by him, 
then ball is in play and batter can be thrown out. 



136 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



Miscellaneous Knotty Problems 

Protector did not help the catcher. 

With two strikes on batter, pitcher delivers ball, which 
batter fouls. It strikes the catcher squarely on the pro- 
tector and bounds into the air. The catcher managed to 
regain possession of the ball before it touched the ground. 
The umpire ruled the batter out. The manager of the 
team at bat protested against the decision, claiming the 
catcher had been aided in making the catch by the pro- 
tector. Since the ball had struck the catcher's protector 
squarely and then bounded directly off same into the air 
and was recovered by the catcher before touching the 
ground, the umpire ruled correctly. If the ball had 
caught in the protector, and held momentarily, it would 
have been different, as in such a case the protector would 
have aided in making the catch and the batter would not 
have been out. In all the cases the rebound must be 
direct. 

Hitting a batted ball with the glove. 

Batter hits a long drive on a line to left center. Both 
the left and center fielder started in pursuit of the ball. 
Neither got within ten feet of the ball as it whizzed by 
them. The left fielder threw his glove at the ball. It was 
apparent that the glove had come in contact with the 
ball. The center fielder recovered the ball, which rolled 
to the fence. Although he made a fast play on it and 
a speedy throw to the plate the batsman easily made the 



SPALDING'S A THLETIC LIBRAE Y 137 

circuit on the drive. The team in the field contended 
that the batsman was only entitled to three bases. What 
would have been the proper ruling ? 

Section 6 of Rule 54 does say that the runner shall be 
entitled to three bases if the fielder stops a batted ball 
with his glove while detached from his person. It does 
not, however, say that the base-runner is entitled to more 
if he can make it. Several years ago I had an outfielder 
throw his glove at the ball as it was about to pass over 
the fence. The glove hit the ball, but the ball cleared 
the fence. I allowed a home run, although the team in 
the field contended the batter was entitled to three bases. 
I have brought the above query up for discussion and the 
leading umpires are a unit in the belief a home run should 
be allowed. 

Ground rules should always be definite. 

An overflow crowd makes a ground rule necessary. A 
badly thrown ball is apt to go into the crowd. It is 
agreed that on such throws runners shall be entitled to 
one base aside from the one to which they are going. 
There is a runner on first, the pitcher catches him napping 
off of first base but throws the ball into the crowd. The 
team in the field contends that the runner was going back 
to first to avoid being caught, and, as he was going back 
to first, he was only entitled to one base, which would 
send him to second. The team at bat contended the 
moment the runner was caught he started for second and 
was entitled to go to third. Is this a good rule? 

The base to which you are going and one additional 
base on an overthrow is always a bad rule. It always 



138 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

causes a dispute as to which way the runner was actually 
headed. A much better rule is simply two additional 
bases from the one occupied at the start of the play. 

Umpire rendered only decision possible. 

Batsman hits ball to shortstop, who makes a bad throw 
to first. The first baseman in an effort to make the catch 
went far up the line, colliding with the base-runner. So 
great was the force of the collision that runner and fielder 
were rendered unconscious. The runner was thrown be- 
yond and over first base, but, of course, failed to touch 
it. The ball rolled into the infield and was recovered by 
the pitcher, who touched first base. The crowd yelled 
for the umpire to call time, the moment the players col- 
lided. What ruling should have been made on the play? 

There is nothing in the rules that gives the umpire the 
right to call time before the completion of a play, conse- 
quently when the pitcher recovered the ball and touched 
first base, there was nothing for the umpire to do other 
than to declare the batter out. It does seem almost 
inhuman to let play go on while a player is helpless on 
the ground. Yet if time was called for an accident, re- 
gardless of the completion of a play, it would be greatly 
to the benefit of a team for players to feign injury any 
time it would work to their advantage. 

Can a foul ball be an infield fly? 

One out, runners on first and second, batter hits fly 
ball, which it appears will be caught by the second base- 
man. The umpires declares it an infield fly. When he 
so calls it the ball is about thirty feet in fair territory. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 139 

A high wind is blowing, which eventually carries the ball 
foul. It is muffed by the second baseman in foul terri- 
tory. Should the batsman be declared out under the 
infield fly rule since the ball was in fair territory when 
he made such a ruling? 

The infield fly rule relates only to fair balls. Since the 
wind carried the ball foul there was nothing for the 
umpire to do, other than to reverse his original ruling, 
which declared the batter out on an infield fly and let 
him hit over again. 

This play nearly came up in world series. 

Overflow crowd in right and left field, while in left 
field a number of fans sit on top of the fence to get a 
better view of the game. Agreement is that a ball hit into 
the crowd shall be good for two bases. Batter hits a 
ball that would have cleared the left field fence. One 
of the fans sitting on the fence sets himself and tries 
to catch the ball. It strikes in his hands, but he fails to 
hold it, and it falls into the overflow crowd. Team in 
the field contends that the hit is only good for two bases, 
while the team at bat claims it should be a home run. 

The hit should have been allowed a home run, if in the 
opinion of the umpire, it would have cleared the fence, 
had it not been for the spectator's interference, and it 
seems to me it surely would. Such a happening almost 
came up in the 191 1 world series between New York 
and Philadelphia at Shibe Park, Philadelphia. The wall 
at Shibe Park was lined with spectators. One of them 
almost caught the home run drive which Frank Baker 
hit ofif "Rube" Marquard. That hit caused the umpires 



I40 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

to at once confer and make a rule to cover the happen- 
ing. It was agreed that a home run was the only fair 
solution of the problem. 

Fielding balls on restricted territory. 

Overflow crowd causes ropes to be stretched, making 
a ground rule necessary, that hits into the overflow should 
go for two bases. At one end of the stretched rope 
there were no fans. Batsman hits ball to right cen- 
ter. The fielder backs up against the rope. When it 
becomes apparent that he can make the catch, if he jumps 
over the rope which is about two feet high, he does so 
and makes the catch. What should have been the ruling? 

Later in the game a batsman hits a ball to the right 
fielder. Just as he gets the ball into his hands and makes 
the catch, he crashes against the ropes and falls backward 
into the overflow crowd. How about this play ? 

In the first case, the umpire should not have allowed 
the out, but granted the batsman two bases. The ropes 
acted as the end of the playing field, and a catch made 
outside the boundary limitations was not legal. 

In the second case, the out should have been allowed, 
as the completion of the catch was made on the playing 
field. No consideration should be given to the fact that 
he later fell over the ropes. 

Relative to substitution of pinch hitters. 

Pitcher suffers a broken finger in the third inning, but 
same not being on his pitching hand, he finished out the 
inning. In the fourth inning, with runners on second 
and third, and one out, it was the pitcher's turn to bat. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 141 

An extra catcher was sent in to bat for the pitcher. At 
the close of the inning, the manager decided to use an 
entirely new battery. He put in a pitcher to replace the 
injured pitcher, for whom the extra catcher had acted 
as a pinch hitter, and decided to substitute the extra 
catcher in place of the regular backstop. In the original 
lineup the catcher had batted seventh and the pitcher 
ninth. How should the new battery have hit? 

Since the extra catcher, who had acted as pinch hitter, 
was pressed into the game as a regular, it became neces- 
sary that during the rest of the game he continue to bat 
in the same place as the original pitcher, ninth. That 
of course made it necessary that the substituted pitcher 
bat in the position of the original catcher, which was 
seventh. 



Spectator's interference makes trouble. 

There is an overflow crowd, which makes a ground 
rule necessary on thrown and batted balls. It was agreed 
that a throw into the crowd should be good for two bases. 
Late in the game, with the score a tie, first batter for 
the home team hits for two bases. The next batter bunted 
down the first base line. The first baseman rushed in, 
got the ball, and made a hurried throw to third to get the 
runner. A perfect throw would have turned the trick, 
but it was high and got away from the third baseman. 
It rolled perhaps thirty feet. The third baseman made 
a rush for the ball, as did a fan sitting in the front row 
of the overflow crowd. The ball was practically motion- 
less when the fan picked it up and rushed back to cover 
in the crowd. The runner dashed from second to the 
plate, likewise the batter scored, while the third sacker 
attempted to regain the ball. The manager of the team 



142 SPALDING'S A THLETIC LIBRARY 

at bat first contended both runners should score 
because it was a blocked ball. Later he insisted the run- 
ner should score and the batter go to second because the 
ball went into the crowd. What should have been the 
ruling ? 

The umpire should have granted the batsman first and 
allowed the runner on second to advance to third. Rule 
37, Section 3, states if a person not engaged in the game 
should retain possession of a blocked ball, or throw or 
kick it beyond the reach of the fielders, the umpire shall 
call time and require both runners to stop at the base 
last touched by him. 



When a ball hits stand, not the regulation distance. 

Grandstand is less than ninety feet from the home 
plate, as prescribed by the rules. It is agreed thfeit on a 
wild pitch the runner shall be entitled to one base, if the 
ball comes into contact with the stand. Such a thing hap- 
pens, but the runner on first at the time tries to go to 
third on a wild pitch that strikes the stand. The catcher 
recovers the ball and throws the runner out at third 
What is the decision? 

The moment the ball strikes the stand, which is less 
than ninety feet from the plate, it becomes dead. The 
runner who tried to go from first to third on the play, 
should not be declared out, but simply sent to second. 
Such a play can come up at the Polo Grounds in New 
York, and, strangely enough, the American and National 
League — both teams play on the Polo Grounds — use a 
different ruling. In the American League games the ball 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 143 

is regarded out of play the moment it strikes the stand. 
In the National League the runners are entitled to ad- 
vance one base without liability to be put out, but the 
ball is not declared dead, and if they try to advance any 
further, they do so at their peril. That is purely a league 
rule. 

Can't play ball with only eight men. 

Batter steps into the box and pitcher delivers the ball. 
Batter hits same over left fielder's head for a clean home 
run. Then it was discovered that the team in the field 
had only eight men. The second baseman, who was hav- 
ing an injury attended to, had not yet gone back to his 
position. Should the home run have been allowed? 

The only ruling left to the umpire was to make the 
batsman hit over again. Rule 16 states no team shall 
have more or less than nine men on a side. 

Umpires have been known to ask scorer for the count. 

Are the official balls and strikes, as called by the umpire, kept by the 
official scorer? 

No; unless he likes to do it for amusement. 
This was a prize "bone" play on part of pitcher. 

Batter hits ball to pitcher, runs towards first base and then stops. The 
pitcher, forgetting to throw to first base, steps on the rubber, facing the 
next batter. ^ The runner, seeing this, continues to first base after he has 
stepped outside of the three-foot limit. Is he out if he reaches first base 
before the ball is thrown there? 

No. He is plainly within the rule and the pitcher is wholly at fault for 
not making the play correctly. 

It was a double play. 

Runner on first; batter hits to shortstop, then goes to the bench; ball is 
played to second and then to first, but runner on first never left that base. 
Are both men out? 

Yes; the man on first is forced to run and the fact that the latter did 
not run to first would not change the situation. 



144 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
But don't score a safe hit, too, for the batter. 

If a fielder fumbles a sure sacrifice hit and the batter reaches first base, 
IS he still credited with a sacrifice? 

Yes. If the attempt to sacrifice is palpable, the batter must not be penal- 
ized for the mistake of a fielder. 

Tough on the Giants, but the decision was correct. 

When a batted ball goes over the fence, on what ground does the umpire 
give his decision? 

The umpire must decide as to whether the hit is fair or foul accordingly 
as the ball disappears from his sight. For example: In a game at Boston 
several years ago a New York National League player batted a fly ball over 
the fence for a home run. The ball went over fair territory, but the wind 
carried it to one side, and when it disappeared from the vision of the 
umpire it was foul. He so decided it and that decision cost New York 
a game. 

Player benched cannot again enter game. 

If a player was in the game and was taken out and put on the bench, 
could he run as a substitute runner? 

Man taken out of game could not enter game again. See Rule 28, Sec- 
tion 2. 

Passed ball agreement when there is not a backstop. 

In a game where there was no backstop it was agreed that only one 
base should be allowed on a passed ball. With A on third and B on second, 
catcher caught B off his base; at same time A started for home plate and 
B started for thirdj wild throw made to home and both men scored. B 
had not touched third base at the time the ball was thrown to home. Is 
B entitled to a score on this play? 

Supposing that second baseman threw wild to home plate, B is entitled 
to score, as a wild throw is not a passed ball (see Rule 85, Section 10); 
if one base only was agreed on as the limit on wild throws then B was not 
entitled to score. 

An intelligent fielder would not make an attempt to catch a 
foul fly if there was a chance of the base-runner scoring. 

Can a base-runner advance on a foul fly caught by an outfielder? 
Yes, but an intelligent fielder would not make an attempt to catch a foul 
fly if there was a chance of the base-runner scoring. 

See diagram of field in Spalding Base Ball Guide. 

A statement is made that the distance from the pitcher's box to home 
plate is 60 feet 3 inches. The other side of the argument says it is 60 feet 
5 inches. Which is right? 

Neither; it is 60 feet 6 inches. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



H5 



Catcher gets a passed ball, even though he catches runner. 

Catcher misses third strike, but throws batter out at first; in meantime 
runner from third scores on the play. Should catcher be charged with 
passed ball? 

Yes, for the advance of the mnner from third must be accounted for 
and under the scoring rules the runner from third also would be credited 
with a stolen base in case he had started home prior to the catcher letting 
the ball get away. 

A sacrifice is such, no matter where the advancement of base- 
runner took place. 

Is a batter entitled to a sacrifice if he purposely advances the runner 
from second to third? 

Yes. The play is exactly the same as when the runner is advanced from 
first to second. 

Returning to base under ground rules agreement. 

In the third inning with one out, A walked and, on the next pitch, A 
started for second (with the intention of stealing). B hit this pitch for a 
clean single to right, on which A kept going to third, and also scored, 
B going to second on the throw-in. Owing to the ground rule, which 
was "One base on anything hit into right; you had to make it" (no stipu- 
lation about over-running and being put out) A was sent back to third, and 
on his way back was touched out, umpire ruling plajr O. K., also putting 
B back on first. Was the umpire correct in h's decision? 

Clearly a wrong and unjust decision. It frequently occurs that players 
go beyond the bases to which they are entitled under a ground rule agree- 
ment. In such instances play is automatically suspended and the umpire 
directs such a player or players to return to the base or bases to which they 
are entitled under the ground rule agreement, and in returning they run 
no risk or liability of being put out, 

Shortstop took a losing chance. 

With two out and runners on second and third base, the batter raps the 
ball to the shortstop. The latter tries to tag the runner between second 
and third base, but before he succeeds in doing so, the runner on third 
crosses the plate. Does the run count? 

Yes. 
Position of fielder does not make hit fair or foul. 

A ball fairly hit in the direction of first base passes about a foot inside, 
but curved until it was a foot outside after passing first base. The right 
fielder in trying to field the ball touched same with his gloved hand, but 
did not hold it. ^ The ball fell on foul territory and the umpire declared 
it a fair ball, claiming that as the fielder was on fair ground at the time, 
that the fact of him touching the ball made it a fair ball irrespective of 
where it fell. 

The hit was a "foul ball," if the outfielder touched it first in foul ter- 
ritory, regardless of the fact that his body was in fair territory. The 
position of the fielder had nothing whatever to do with this case. 



146 



t 
SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



It was "love's labor lost"; some players never read the rules. 

With the bases filled and no one out, the catcher drops the ball and tries 
to throw the runner out at second base, but fails to do so, and the second 
baseman then tries to get the batter at first, but the umpire calls the batter 
out before leaving home plate. Is the umpire right? 

Most assuredly. The rule states explicitly that the batter is out if the 
catcher drops the ball unless there are two hands out. The catcher was 
foolish to throw the ball, evincing a lack of knowledge as to the rules, 
and the second baseman was equally at fault when he tried to retire the 
batter at first base. The latter was out the moment that he made the 
third strike, and the umpire was perfectly correct in his ruling. 

This was a tie game. 

In the last half of the ninth inning, after two men were out, the umpire 
called the game on account of darkness. Before the ninth inning was 
played the Grays were leading, 8 to 3. During their first half of the ninth 
they did not score, but during the Blues' half, or until two men were 
retired, they score 5 runs, tieing the game. At this moment the umpire 
called the game. The Blues claimed that as there were two-thirds of the 
last half of the ninth played before game was called score remains a tie. 

The game in question ended a tie (see Rule 24). 

How records are counted in a forfeited game. 

In the event of a forfeited game that goes beyond five innings, is it the 
practice to credit the players with what they actually did, in case the for- 
feit comes in any inning, the first or ninth? 

The custom Is to treat the forfeited game records the same as any other 
game — that is, the records are credited only if a legal game (5 or 4J4 
innings, as the case may be) has been played. 

This is very plain; see Rule 51, Section 1. 

Smith bats in place of Jones and the umnire calls Smith out for batting 
out of turn and then allows Jones to bat. Is that right? 

No. Jones is out for not batting in proper turn. The proper batsman 
is always the one declared out in a batting-out-of-order play. 

This raised quite a controversy. 

In the first game of double header, when Chicago went to bat in the 
ninth inning Philadelphia was leading, 3 to 2. Mayer struck out one 
Chicago player in the ninth, then Schulte singled and Zimmerman doubled. 
Schulte stopped at third. Alexander was then substituted for Mayer. 
Under orders, Alexander walked Saier purposely, filling the bases. Then 
Williams hits to Luderus, who threw to the plate, forcing Schulte. Killifer 
tried for a double play, but Williams beat his throw to first. Then 
Luderus threw to third in an attempt to catch Zimmerman off base. The 
throw was wild and Zimmerman and Saier both scored, winning the game 
for the Cubs. Phelan fiied to Paskert. Who is charged with the defeat? 

The loss of the game is charged against Alexander. It was while Alex- 
ander was pitching that Saier reached first and eventually scored. The 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 147 

custom is that when a pitcher retires, leaving runners on bases, and these 
runners later score off the relieving pitcher, they must be charged up 
against the first pitcher. It would be manifestly unfair to ask the second 
pitcher to go in at a trying time and prevent the scoring of runners 
already on bases. While this was not exactly the position of play pre- 
sented in this game, nevertheless Alexander's responsibility began with 
the first batsman he pitched to and it was this batsman that did score the 
winning run. 

When an umpire must use his judgment. 

Man on first and one on second, nobody out. The batter bunted a foul 
fly, just over his head, about two feet at the most, and the catcher caught 
the ball. Is the batter out and can a double play be made on the ball? 

Batsman was out on the foul bunted fly, and the runner or runners 
could have been also retired on the same play. An umpire must use his 
judgment when a ball is bunted high with runners on first and second. 
If it is an easy fly catch for an infielder, it should be called an infield fly, 
but not a ball that is bunted low and diffcult to handle, any play that 
follows should go. 

Strikes out six batters in One inning. 

A pitcher can strike out six batters in one inning without allowing a run 
to score. The simplest way is strike out the first two and the catcher 
holds each third strike. The next three churn the breeze, but catcher 
fails to hold each third strike, and they all reach first safely. The sixth 
batter strikes out and catcher holds the last strike out for the third out, 
leaving the bases full with base-runners. Result: Six strike-outs for the 
pitcher, three put-outs and three errors for the catcher. In the sixth 
inning of the Qeveland-Athletics game of June 11, 1916, Morton of Cleve- 
land fanned four batters — Witt, Pick, Lajoie and Mclnnis — the first named 
reaching first by reason of his third strike being a wild pitch. 

An important decision. 

President Johnson of the American League sustained a decision of Umpire 
Chill in the Boston-Cleveland game of June 3, 1916, which it is said estab- 
lished a precedent for plays in which an umpire interferes with a base- 
runnef. The decision of Chill, against which Boston protested, was that 
the runner return to his base. So far as known no similar case has occurred 
in major league base ball and is not covered by the rules. Turner, after 
making a hit, rounded first base and collided with Chill twice. He then 
stopped and walked to second base, where he was touched by the Boston 
second baseman. He was called out at first by the umpire, but, after a 
conference with Umpire Dineen, the deoision was reversed and Turner was 
allowed to return to first. 



148 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Umpire's Equipment Very Important 

The position of an umpire is a hazardous one from 
any angle you consider it. Therefore it is a mark of 
wisdom for the umpire to afford himself every protection 
possible in going about his work. The judges of play 
cannot exercise too much care in selecting satisfactory 
equipment. 

A good mask is a most essential thing. It is hard 
to advise what style of mask is best, each umpire must 
be his own judge as to that part of his equipment. The 
stock of masks carried by Spalding is so varied that 
usually you can get a mask to suit by simply having 
the clerk in charge show the various styles and, by try- 
ing them on, you can reach a decision as to which style 
fits your face best, and conforms to your vision. 

Contrary to most umpires I like a very tight-fitting 
mask, that is heavily padded, and has a special rein- 
forced padding at the chin. I also like ear protection, 
but wear stationary pads which are fastened tight to 
the side of the mask and do not swing. Since I am often 
in Chicago during the American League season, I simply 
go out to the Spalding factory and have them make 
such a mask to suit me. It is possible for anyone to 
get a similar mask, at only a slight additional expense, 

Spalding's base ball catalogue, issued annually, contains pictures, descrip- 
tions and prices of everything needed for the game. Mailed free to any 
address. Write to Spalding store nearest to you (see list on inside front 
cover). 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 149 

or to have worked out any stunt they care to have put 
on the mask. 

A good protector is always a wise investment. There 
are two kinds, the rubber inflated and a papier mache 
and bamboo arrangement. The inflated protector is 
worn outside, while the other is worn under the coat. 
I prefer the rubber protector, simply because I think it 
affords the better protection. However, that is merely a 
matter of opinion. The other style has to be made to order. 

Great care should be used in the selection of shoes. 
No umpire should be without a pair of the special um- 
pire shoes now being made by Spalding. I wouldn't 
care to work back of the bat without a pair of these 
wonderful shoes. When I think of the injuries I used 
to suffer because of being hit on the instep or toes by 
a foul tip, I can hardly understand why no one thought 
of the present shoe sooner. With its strong box toe 
and padded tongue, it is absolutely impossible to suffer 
a foot injury. The shoe is so made that one can run at 
top speed without any inconvenience. Major league um- 
pires use two pairs, wearing the ordinary shoe on the 
bases, the special one when working balls and strikes. 

A pair of shin guards, which also have a special knee 
protection, an aluminum protector which fastens around 
the waist, and an indicator, are a few of the other neces- 
sities. Of course, no athlete would think of going on 
the ball field without wearing a **Bike'' suspensory. 

With the above equipment, a good pair of eyes and 
plenty of nerve, umpiring is a nice job, and, as the 
late Tim Hurst always said, "You can't beat the hours, 
3 to 5.** 



150 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY^ 



Index to "Knotty Problems 



9f 



Page 
(Backstop agfeement, runner enti- 
tled to one base on wild pitch; 
variations on this ruling in Na- 
tional and American Leagues.. 142 

wild throw not counted as 144 

Balk, all runners entitled to ad- 
vance a base 104 

any motion to deceive base-runner 131 

ball dropped accidentally by pitcher 
in delivery the rule in National 
League; not in American 128 

can be called when pitcher is dila- 
tory in delivering the ball 128 

catcher outside lines causes 129 

not a, pitcher's motion to throw 
to second ' 131 

only base-runners advance on... 131 

pitcher's movements 130 

umpire calling, suspends play. . . . 129 

when catcher can make one 129 

Ball, accidentally striking batsman's 
bat, falling on foul ground, foul 
strike, unless two strikes have 
been called, then a foul...... 106 

after a foul, not in play until 
pitcher is in position and chief 
umpire calls play" 124 

batted, hitting fielder's glove and 
striking umpire, in play 132 

batted, hitting umpire, batsman 
gets first and base-runners ad- 
vance one base 122 

batted, hitting runner, making 
third out, batter gets base-hit. . 109 

bunted foul, double play made... 147 

dropped by catcher on third 
strike, with no one out 146 

dropping on foul ground, touched 
by fielder on fair ground, foul. 145 

fair or foul, batted over fence. . 144 

hitting batsman's person, on third 
strike, latter is out, runner 
going to second sent back 120 

hitting batter, entitles latter to 
first base, except, in opinion of 
umpire, he did not attempt to 
get out of way 101 

hitting runner, making third out, 
is scored a hit 124 

striking fair, rebounding and hit- 
ting batsman, while in his box, 
foul 107 



BalI-;-Continued. P^« 

striking ^ pitcher's rubber and 
bounding to foul territory, foul 98 

thrown by catcher, hitting bats- 
man's bat, remains in play. ... 122 

thrown, hitting umpire, in play. 122 

when foul or fair 102 

Base-runner, advancing on a triple, 
with two out, neglects to touch 
second, deprives batter of a hit 110 

can advance on foul fly 144 

cannot go back to second after 
once legally holding third base. 103 

can return to game after having 
another run for him, if oppos- 
ing captain agrees 131 

crossing plate on a squeeze play, 
scored, although he returned to 
third, for safety, as he thought. 119 

entitled to start instant fly ball 
touches fielder's hands 114 

failing to touch third base on 
what would have been a home 
run hit by following batsman, 
is out, and batter gets credit 
for a base-hit only, if third out 110 

from third, starting to steal home 
as pitcher winds up and not 
touched before crossing plate 
run does not count when batter 
hits the ball for final out 113 

hitting home run, not affected by 
negligence of preceding runner 
to touch base, except third out. 123 

must advance as soon as batsman 
hits ball fair, whether batter 
elects to run to first or not. . . 143 

must touch home plate to score, 
even though catcher's body may 
be covering it 110 

not out for running outside of 
base-line unless when trying to 
avoid being touched by ball in 
hands of fielder 105, 108 

on base, with two out, scores if 
he reaches^ home before batter 
who is trjang to stretch a sin- 
gle into two-bagger is put out.. 110 

out while standing on base, when 124 

over-running first, can turn in 
either direction 122, 123 

pitcher must give time to, to re- \ 
^, turn on foul • 126. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



151 



Base-runner — Continued. Page 

reaching first on dropped third 
strike, two out, neglecting to 
touch base in trying for second 
nullified two runs which had 
tallied 113 

starting home with pitch, catcher 
must take ball in his position; 
"interference" is penalized dif- 
ferently in National and Ameri- 
can Leagues 107 

starting steal as fourth "ball" is 
pitched, IS safe, even if touched 
Dy ball in hands of fielder.... 110 

stunned by thrown ball in run- 
down, out if touched by ball 
before reaching base 124 

to first may run outside three- 
foot line, provided he does not 
do it to avoid a play 108 

when two on one base, original 
holder has a right 126 

•who had stopped on way to first, 
and then resumed, safe if ball 

not fielded to base Ill 

Batsman, batting out of turn 107 

can be removed at any time 107 

cannot change from orie side of 
box to the other while pitcher 
is in act of delivery 109 

gets credit for sacrifice hit fum- 
bled 144 

hit by pitched ball but not al- 
lowed to take his base, ball is 
called "ball" or "strike," as it 
might have been had he not 
been hit 110 

hitting _ ball thrown by_ pitcher 
standing in his box to intercept 
player stealing home, no one out 108 

hitting catcher s glove and ball 
simultaneously, was sent to first 
for catcher's "interference," 
but, unless bases are full, run- 
ner from third cannot score... 112 

interfering with catcher, runner 
on third is out; if two are out, 
batsman is out 94, 120 

may change from one side of box 
to other, when 108 

missing strike, which hits him, 
runner trying to "squeeze" 
home is touched by catcher, 
runner not out but sent back to 
third and strike called on batter 111 

purposely — in the opinion of the 
umpire — getting hit, "strike" or 
*'bair' called, as might have been 
case had he not been hit... 106, 110 

running out of his position to 

' strike a ball, is not out unless 
he hits it 106 



Batsman — Continued. ^^g^ 

stepping out of box, distinction 
between natural stride and 
undue advantage 97 

striking out — as he thought — and 

taking several steps toward 

bench but starting to run again 

as catcher drops ball, is not out 111 

Batting order, order substitutes in. 140 

Batting out of turn, batsman out if 105 

when batter is out and not out. . 105 
Coacher, cannot run along base-line 124 

touching runner, when not out.. 127^ 
Collision, players injured in, play 

must be completed 132 

runner colliding with infielder, 
when former is out 134 

of base-runner with fielder pur- 
suing ball, after latter had had 
a chance to make play, not out. 117 

Fielder's choice, when not 130 

Force-out, at first, if base occupied 
and catcher drops third strike 
with two out 126 

base-runners must be touched 
when not a 117 

not, ^ when _ catcher drops third 
strike with runner on first, 
with less than two out 117 

effect lost when play is made first 
on batter running 126 

no run can be scored in which 

i the third out is a 100 

not a, when runner from first on 
a fly touched second and Vacated 
'it by mistake, being put out.. 115 

not possible by catcher dropping 
ball, with one or two out, and 
throwing to a base to catch 
runner '. 104 

not possible on a base on balls, 
and run scored on play at first 
based on failure to touch the 
base _ counts 100 

not, with two on one base, orig- 
inal holder of base was touched 
instead of the runner behind.. 118 

occasion when not a 127 

once batter is retired runners can 
move at will 123 

one runner cannot force another 
except to make room occasioned 
by batter going to first. 105, 125, 126 

proper sequence of play to make a 104 

runner must be touched and is 
not "forced" off his base, ex- 
cept through event of a batter 
becoming a base-runner 104 

third strike dropped, catcher miss- 
ing, and throwing ball to third 
to catch runner, not a 112 

when there is none 112 



152 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Page 
Foul fly, base-runner can advance on H4 
Foul tip, base-runner can steal on. Ill 
with two strikes on batter, land- 
ing in catcher's protector, is 

not counted Ill 

Glove, thrown, gives 3 bases... Ill, 136 
Ground rule agreement, player 
passing stipulated point must 
return, but cannot be put out. . 145 
Home run, does not count if oppo- 
nents play with less than nine 143 
Infield fly, base-runner already on 
base out if ball is thrown to 
base before runner can get back 109 
base-runner on first out if he 

leaves base before ball caught. 122 
caught by second baseman, who 
touched adjacent runner, latter 

is out 112 

does not apply with a runner on 

first and another on third base. 106 
not declared with runner only on 

first 104 

runner standing on base and hit 

by, not out 98 

variation as to status of runner 
in National and American 

Leagues 106, 125 

Interference, of base-runners, even 

though unintentional, penalized 121 
of catcher, puts runner on first.. 129 
of players on bench with player 

attempting to catch foul fly.... 118 
of catcner with runners sliding 
home when catcher has not the 

ball, penalized 116 

pitcher throwing home to inter- 
cept base-runner, must step out 
of bis box, otherwise batter 

may strike at ball 1 08 

Juggling, fly, base-runner entitled 
to st,'irt instant ball touches 

fielder's hands 114 

Loss of game, pitcher substituted is 

responsible for 130 

Passed ball, runners can advance at 

own risk 126 

runner scoring on, catcher is 
charged with, though recovering 

and throwing batsman out 145 

wild throw not counted in back- 
stop agreement 144 

Overflow crowd, ball caught inside 
ropes to restrain, although out- 
fielder falls over latter, out.... 140 
ball hit into..,,,,,,,,, 141 



Overflow crowd — Continued. Pagt 
ball caught outside ropes to re- 
strain, safe 140 

pitcher throws into, to catch run- 
ner napping, how manv bases. . 137 
Pitcher, credited with strike-out al- 
though catcher drops ball 131 

finishing game, gets credit, or loss 130 
standing in his position but with- 
out ball 108 

taking out, with two balls on 

batter, legal 131 

box, distance of from home plate. 144 
Player taken out of game cannot 

re-enter 144 

Positions, player can play any num- 
ber of, so long as he does not 

leave game 131 

Protector, ball striking, and caught, 

batter out 13d 

Run, counts, where player moved 
up from third on base on balls 
(bases filled), although a quick 
throw had caught his successor, 
who had overrun third, making 

third out 116 

counts, when runner scores after 
fly caught, although another 
runner third out on continua- 
tion of same play 127 

counts, where player scores after 
long fly, though throwMin catches 
another runner trying to re- 
turn Ill 

scored before shortstop tags an- 
other runner on base path, for 

final out, counts 145 

Records, individual, of players in 

forfeited game, how counted.. 146 
Sacrifice hit, counts on any advance 145 
Striking out six batters in one in- 
ning, how possible 147 

Tie game, when game called, where 
score is a tie, when both sides 
have had equal number of times 
at bat, although inning not com- 
pleted 146 

Umpire, calling foul too quickly... 133 

fair ball hitting, batter entitled to 

base; if hitting player first, 

batter can be thrown out.. 112, 135 

hit by thrown ball, ball in play; 

if back of catcher, ball dead if 

interfering with catcher 135 

interfering with base-runner 147 

not obliged to call attention of 
teams to errors of omission.... 107 




No. 5SD 




No. UO 






A swift foul tip 
hurts just as much 
in the minors as it 
does in the big 
leagues — 

Umpire is the one position on the ball 
field that requires "big league" equipment 
all the time. The umpire cannot afford to 
risk the use of doubtful equipment. He, 
of all participating in the game, requires 
substantial protection. Spalding umpires' 
paraphernalia is made not only along the 
most approved lines but also with the con- 
tinual thought of its ultimate use. 

SPALDING UMPIRES' MASKS 

No. 5SD. "League." Strongest and most practical umpires' 
mask built. No umpire should be without one. Each, $9.00 

No. UO. "Super-Protected." Wires in this mask support each 
other and are arranged according to an entirely new principle 
of mask construction. Eye opening is straight across wth 
"Diamond" point wired protection. Fitted with extra padded 
chin protection and folding padded ear pieces. Each, $6.00 

SPALDING UMPIRES' BODY PROTECTORS 

Give length and width required when ordering Umpires' Body Protectors 

No. L. Inflated. Large size, best quality. Same as supplied to 
most experienced major league umpires. . . Each, $10.00 

No. LS. Inflated. Special light weight; soft rubber tube; sup- 
plied on special orders only Each. $10.00 

No. R. Inflated. Correct model. Cover of good material. 5.00 

SPALDING SPECIAL UMPIRES' SHOES 

No. 3 1 UP. Solid box toe and outside padded tongue. Uppers 
of selected leather; white oak leather soles, fitted with best 
quality base ball cleats. Made to order only ; not carried in 
stock. (Patent applied for.) Pair, $9.00 

SPALDING UMPIRES* LEG GUARDS 

No. RB. Plain, fiber leg piece, not ribbed. Leather padded at 
ankle and knee Pair, $6.00 

SPALDING UMPIRE INDICATOR 

No. O. Made of celluloid; exact size 3 x I K inches. Endorsed 
and used by all league umpires Each, 50c. 



ATHI/BTIC JLIBRARY 



A separate book covers every Athletic Sport 
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